In NBA 2K25, "budget cards" refer to lower-cost player cards that offer good value for their price, especially in modes like MyTEAM. These cards are typically more affordable than high-rated players but can still perform well in games. If you are seeking budget cards to build a competitive team without spending too many MT points in NBA 2K25, you are in the right place. In this article, TyDeBo shows you his top 10 budget cards right now.
No. 10: Paul George
OVR: 87
Gem Tier: Ruby
Theme: NBA: Series 1
Position: SF/PF
Height: 6'8"
As a small forward, Paul George is tough to beat. You can get this card for only 1,300 coins. If you're lucky, you might find one with a couple of gold badges. It's worth spending a few more coins on a badged-up Ruby Paul George card.
Paul Geroge is 6'8" tall and has solid ratings in Three-Point Shot and Ball Handle. Defensively, he is a strong player. Most importantly, he has nineteen base badges, which is more than any Series 1 card in this game.
No. 9: Jarrett Jack
OVR: 91
Gem Tier: Amethyst
Theme: BBQ Buckets
Position: PG/SG
Height: 6'3"
The base version card of Amethyst Jarrett Jack is pretty good, but if you can get a badged-up one, it will be better.
The Amethyst Jarrett Jack is only 6'3" tall, but he has decent ratings for Three-Point Shot and Ball Handle. However, his defensive abilities are not solid enough, so it would be better to have a version with key badges like On-Ball Menace.
No. 8: Giannis Antetokounmpo
OVR: 90
Gem Tier: Amethyst
Theme: NBA: Series 1
Position: PF
Height: 6’11”
The Amethyst Giannis Antetokounmpo is priced at only about 22,000 MT. His Three-Point Shot rating is decent, and he excels defensively.
Giannis has an impressive player model and build, which always makes him one of the best value cards for your team. While there are other power forwards as good as him that cost less, if you can find an Amethyst Giannis card that is badged up, it's definitely worth your time and money to have him.
No. 7. Pervis Ellison
OVR: 86
Gem Tier: Sapphire
Theme: BBQ Buckets
Position: C/PF
Height: 6'10"
The Sapphire Pervis Ellison card may be the best value in the entire game, costing only around 3,000 MT coins and performing exceptionally well in MyTEAM.
Even though his Three-Point Shot rating is only 59, his defensive ability stats are much better than Giannis Antetokounmpo's. He is expected to be really good in the near future. So, if possible, do not miss the chance to purchase a Sapphire Pervis Ellison card for 3,000 MT.
No. 6: Anthony Davis
OVR: 90
Gem Tier: Amethyst
Theme: NBA Series 1
Position: C
Height: 6'10"
The Amethyst Anthony Davis card is superior to Pervis Ellison, but it comes at a higher price. Anthony Davis, as a center, can hold his own against other top players. He has the ability to stretch the court and play decent defense.
Anthony Davis has some downsides: his Three-Point Shot rating is only 64, and most of his badges needed are Silver, which means you need to upgrade them, and that's not an easy task.
No. 5: Harrison Barnes
OVR: 86
Gem Tier: Sapphire
Theme: BBQ Buckets
Position: SF/PF
Height: 6'8"
Another budget-friendly card worth considering is Sapphire Harrison Barnes, which is priced at around 2,000 MT on the Auction House.
Harrison Barnes lacks strong badges, but he has an 85 Three-Point Shot rating, 85 Speed, and decent defensive ratings.
No. 4: Bruce Bowen
OVR: 85
Gem Tier: Sapphire
Theme: 3PT Royalty
Position: SF/PF
Height: 6'7"
The Sapphire Bruce Bowen is an excellent addition to your team, especially for defense. Compared to Harrison Barnes, Bruce Bowen offers superior defensive capabilities. However, this card is relatively more expensive, priced at about 30,000 MT.
No. 3: Josh Childress
OVR: 85
Gem Tier: Sapphire
Theme: Power Surge
Position: SG/SF
Height: 6'8"
The Sapphire Josh Childress is a standout player in the game and can hold his own against some of the best cards in NBA 2K MyTEAM. With an 80 Three-Point Shot, 86 Ball Handle, and solid ratings in Perimeter Defense and Speed, he outperforms Harrison Barnes. Although acquiring him costs around 9,000 MT, he is capable of fulfilling all your on-court needs.
No. 2 Ray Allen
OVR: 89
Gem Tier: Ruby
Theme: BBQ Buckets
Position: SG/SF
Height: 6'5"
The Ruby Ray Allen card costs about 21,000 MT coins. It features a 95 Three-Point Shot, 90 Speed, and decent defensive abilities. With additional badges, especially the On-Ball Menace badge, his performance can improve. Nevertheless, the base version of Ruby Ray Allen is already a strong choice for your team.
No. 1: Austin Rivers
OVR: 88
Gem Tier: Ruby
Theme: BBQ Buckets
Position: SG/PG
Height: 6'4"
The best budget card in the game right now is Ruby Austin Rivers, which costs around 25,000 MT. With 17 gold badges, Austin Rivers is a standout player at the point guard position. The Ruby Austin Rivers card is almost perfect for MyTEAM mode, excelling both defensively and offensively, making him a solid addition to your team.
Those are the top ten budget cards you should have for your NBA 2K25 team. If you enjoyed this video, please consider subscribing to TyDeBo's channel for more helpful content.
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