Creating your MyTeam in NBA 2K26 is a significant commitment — both in terms of time and money. Whether you’re sinking real dollars into MT or grinding for hours on end to reach that respectable 85 overall rating, every single attribute point counts.

With limited resources, it’s easy to fall into the trap of making a slasher or mid-range build because they offer safer, higher-percentage shots. But if that’s your plan, you might want to rethink it — because ignoring your 3-point rating could turn out to be the single biggest mistake you make in The City.

Whether you’re building a rim-running center, a lockdown defender, or a slasher, here are five key reasons why your player needs to be at least a respectable 3-point shooter in NBA 2K26.

#5 – It’s Easier to Make Shots Now

You don’t need to create a Steph Curry clone to make defenders respect your jumper. One of the best improvements in NBA 2K26 is that shooting feels more accessible — even builds with modest ratings can knock down shots with the right timing and badges.

For example:

• A 73 three-point rating can unlock Bronze Deadeye, helping reduce the penalty on contested jumpers.

• Even a 65-rated shooter can equip Bronze Set Shot Specialist, which gives a nice boost on catch-and-shoot opportunities.

These might sound like small perks, but they open up a whole new playstyle. In MyTeam, you can stay effective simply by being the roll-and-fade guy or hitting spot-up jumpers off kick-outs. In MyTeam, that little bit of range forces defenses to close out — and that’s when the driving lanes open up.

#4 – You Help Space the Floor

It’s not the 1990s anymore. The days of packing the paint are long gone, and spacing is everything in modern basketball — both in real life and in NBA 2K26.

Centers and power forwards are no longer glued to the block. In today’s game, a big man who can shoot stretches the defense and creates mismatches. Whether you’re running Pick-and-Roll (PNR) or Pick-and-Fade (PNF), being able to pop out and hit the shot makes your team unpredictable.

Think of it like a chess match — every time you screen, the defender has to decide whether to help inside or close out on your shot. If they help, that’s a free bucket for your teammate. If they stay out, you’ve got a clean look from deep.

Slashers still have a place in 2K26, but it’s far easier for defenders to collapse in the paint than it is to chase shooters off screens. If you can shoot, you instantly make the defense’s life harder.

#3 – Crew Invites Dry Up Fast for Non-Shooters

Here’s a harsh truth: nobody wants to squad up with a build that can’t shoot.

You might be a defensive monster, an elite rebounder, or a passing genius — but if you’re a non-shooter, you’ll quickly find yourself left out of games. The City’s meta has evolved, and every position is now expected to stretch the floor, at least a little bit.

Even if you lock up your man on defense, your offensive limitations make it easy for opponents to ignore you completely. That creates 4-on-5 situations — a recipe for disaster.

Building a character with at least average shooting opens up more opportunities to run with good teammates. It makes matchmaking smoother, your win percentage higher, and your MT earnings faster. In short, shooting ability isn’t just about gameplay — it’s about getting picked and staying competitive in a community that values versatility.

#2 – Shooters Are Future-Proofed

Every year, 2K tweaks the meta. Some patches nerf inside scoring, while others adjust badge effectiveness; however, one thing remains consistent: shooting always matters.

If your build can shoot the three, you’ll never be outdated. Whether 2K buffs finish or dial up the defense, the ability to hit from range will always keep your build relevant.

Even in MyTeam, AI defenders have become smarter. On higher difficulties, they’ll flat-out ignore non-shooters, clogging the paint and forcing bad possessions. With even a mediocre three-point shot, you can force the defense to respect you — creating more open looks for both you and your teammates.

And here’s another practical bonus: it’s easier to raise your teammate's grade by scoring. Drop 25+ points a game, limit turnovers, and you’ll hit that A+ grade consistently — even without piling up rebounds or assists.

#1 – You Become Unpredictable

This might be the most underrated advantage of all. Defenders hate guarding players they can’t figure out.

When you can shoot, drive, and pass, you become a nightmare to guard. Opponents can’t sag off you or predict your next move. You’re no longer a one-trick pony — you’re a threat from anywhere.

Being unpredictable doesn’t mean being perfect at everything; it means being dangerous enough to keep defenders honest. Even if you’re not the best sharpshooter, the ability to make them guess gives you the upper hand in every matchup.

The one-dimensional “pure” builds of old — the glass cleaners, the pure slashers, the defensive specialists — are starting to fade away. In NBA 2K26, balance is king, and shooting is the foundation of that balance.

Final Thoughts

The days of ignoring your 3-point rating are gone. NBA 2K26’s mechanics, player meta, and community expectations all point in the same direction — if you want to compete, you need to shoot.

You don’t have to be a lights-out sharpshooter, but you need enough range to keep defenses honest. Shooting isn’t just an offensive weapon; it’s your ticket to playing competitively, getting picked up in MyTeam, and earning NBA 2K26 MT efficiently.

So before you sink all your attribute points into driving dunk or finishing, remember: in NBA 2K26, the three-ball isn’t optional anymore — it’s essential.