NBA 2K15: Exciting Young Teams to Guide to Glory in MyGM Mode

Usually when gamers begin playing a franchise mode in a sports video game, they target one of two types of clubs. You can go the home team route. If you're in the Windy City, the Chicago Bulls would be your pick. 

However, some gamers go looking for a challenge. Spotlighting a lower-rated team with a few young players is a sure way to push yourself when it comes to building a virtual challenge. 

In NBA 2K15, there are a few options if the latter is your style. The only criteria for this shortlist is a team ranked less than 80 overall and not having made the postseason last year.

Orlando Magic

Top Young Players: Victor Oladipo, 22 years old, 78 overall rating; Elfrid Payton, 20 years old, 74 overall rating; Nikola Vucevic, 23, 80 overall rating

The Magic won't be a sexy selection online, but the future is looking up in Orlando. The team has an exciting, young and athletic backcourt in second-year pro Victor Oladipo and rookie Elfrid Payton.

They aren't big, but both players lock down defensively and can be great in transition. In the paint, the Magic have the underrated Nikola Vucevic. How many people outside of the Sunshine State are aware that Vucevic has averaged a double-double over the last two seasons?

The seven-footer is still only 23 years old. 

A perfect complement for him might be the high-flying and versatile Aaron Gordon. The rookie out of Arizona should be a tantalizing alley-oop option for gamers on the wing. 

The Magic have to add some pieces over the next few seasons, but that's where you come in. 

Minnesota Timberwolves

Top Young Players: Ricky Rubio, 23 years old, 79 overall rating;  Andrew Wiggins, 19 years old, 77 overall rating; Zach LaVine, 19 years old, 72 overall rating

Kevin Love is gone, but the T'Wolves might be better for it in the long run. With Rubio, Wiggins and LaVine, Minnesota has the makings of a dynamic and effective trio in the point guard and wing positions.

Rubio is a maestro with the ball, and both Wiggins and LaVine can play above the rim. Wiggins' overall game should turn him into a future star in your NBA 2K MyGM experience. 

LaVine is more of a wild card, but I can tell you from experience that he's a handful in the game. When I visited 2K headquarters in September, we played with the Wolves, and LaVine's athleticism and three-point stroke made him a force.

Philadelphia 76ers

Top Young Players: Michael Carter-Williams, 22 years old, 80 overall rating; Nerlens Noel, 20 years old, 76 overall rating; Joel Embiid, 20 years old, 77 overall rating

Many 76ers fans were probably bummed that the team didn't get Jabari Parker or Wiggins in the draft, but there's still the reigning Rookie of the Year Carter-Williams to build around.

He's flanked by rookie big man Nerlens Noel. After missing all of last season, the 2014-15 campaign will be Noel's first. Embiid is going through the same thing this season.

He'll likely miss the entire season, but he should be great for you in your second season. If you decide to turn off pre-existing injuries, you could have Embiid from Day 1.

All NBA 2K15 ratings found here.

Follow Brian Mazique aka FranchisePlay, the Sports Video Game Journalist