NBA 2K26 MyTEAM has quietly delivered one of the strongest stretches of free, earnable cards we’ve seen in years. Whether through Level 40 rewards, events, or limited-time grinds, the quality of no-money-spent options has skyrocketed this season.
Because of that, now is the perfect time to rank the top 10 best free cards in NBA 2K26 MyTEAM. Every card on this list was 100% earnable without spending NBA 2K26 MT or VC, even if some are no longer available. And honestly, the depth here says a lot about how good free content has become.
Let’s get into the rankings.
10. Stephen Curry – Point Guard
Starting the list at number 10 is Stephen Curry, and the fact that he lands this low already shows how stacked free cards are right now.
Curry is one of the better overall point guards in the game:
· Elite shooter and playmaker
· Smooth jumper with a deadly escape package
· Curry slide behind-the-back
· Surprisingly serviceable defender
He comes equipped with badges like Challenger, Glove, Mobile Interceptor, On-Ball Menace, and Pick Dodger, which help him hold his own defensively. He even has 80 driving dunks with decent animations, making him more than just a perimeter threat.
While he’s not an elite defender or interior presence, Curry is a fun, meta-viable guard who still competes at a high level.
9. Larry Bird – Small Forward
Larry Bird checks almost every box for a high-end small forward:
· 6’9” with a 7’0+ wingspan
· 99 three-pointer
· Every shooting badge you want
· Strong finisher and elite defender
· 95 speed
Defensively, Bird is outstanding and can guard multiple positions at a very high level. His only real drawback is his jumper—it’s good, but not elite. If his release were faster or more explosive, he’d easily be pushing top three on this list.
Even as-is, Larry Bird remains one of the most well-rounded small forwards in NBA 2K26 and is arguably underrated by much of the community.
8. Jaden McDaniels – Small Forward
At number eight is Jaden McDaniels, one of the best pure defensive wings in MyTEAM.
What he does well:
· Elite perimeter and interior defense
· 95 dunk with great slashing animations
· Strong shooting badges
· Great jumper
The only real issue with McDaniels is his basic sigs. His dribble package is nothing special, and that limits his shot creation upside. But outside of that, he’s excellent.
For no-money-spent players, McDaniels is a high-level small forward who can switch, defend, slash, and space the floor reliably.
7. Chris Bosh – Power Forward
Chris Bosh remains one of the best pick-and-pop bigs in NBA 2K26.
Why Bosh is still elite:
· One of the smoothest jumpers for a power forward
· Excellent no-dip release
· Can attack off the dribble
· Strong defender
· Moves extremely well for a big
His ability to cancel his dragback and create offense separates him from most bigs. Bosh also stands out as one of the best Level 40 reward cards in terms of longevity all year.
Even now, he can easily start on competitive squads.
6. Yang Hansen – Center
At number six is Yang Hansen, a massive interior presence with surprising mobility.
Key attributes:
· 7’2” height with a 7’3” wingspan
· 85 speed at the center
· Solid jumper
· Strong finisher and defender
Yang Hansen matches up extremely well with top-tier bigs like Dark Matter Kristaps Porziņģis or Opal Wembanyama. There are very few centers who combine size, speed, and defensive reliability as he does.
He can technically play power forward, though he’s best used at center, where he dominates his role.
5. Russell Westbrook – Point Guard
Russell Westbrook lands at number five and is one of the most complete free guards available.
Strengths:
· Great jumper this year
· Elite slashing
· 96 perimeter defense, 95 steal
· 92 interior defense
· Strong player build
At 6’4”, he’s not huge, but he’s still significantly more physical than Steph Curry and holds up better defensively. His sigs aren’t elite, but they’re functional.
When your biggest criticism is height, that says a lot about how good the card is.
4. Kevin Garnett – Power Forward
Kevin Garnett is the best defensive power forward in NBA 2K26, no debate.
What makes KG special:
· Every key defensive Hall of Fame badge
· Elite speed for his size
· Strong finisher
· Solid shooter
The one thing holding KG back is his jumper. Even on very quick, it’s not elite. If Garnett had a Chris Bosh-level release, he’d arguably be the best free card in the game.
Despite that limitation, his defensive impact alone keeps him near the top.
3. Dwyane Wade – Point Guard / Shooting Guard
Dwyane Wade is incredible—but with one major caveat. To maximize Wade, you must stick shoot.
If you do:
· His jumper becomes extremely fast and effective
· He’s an elite defender
· 99 speed, 99 driving dunk
· Strong on-ball pressure
If you rely solely on button shooting, his off-the-dribble consistency drops significantly. Wade is also on the smaller side, even compared to Westbrook.
In the right hands, though, Wade is dominant—and that earns him the number three spot.
2. Terry Dischinger – Shooting Guard / Small Forward
Terry Dischinger is one of the easiest elite cards to use in the entire game.
Why Terry D is special:
· Smooth jumper (stick or button)
· 95 driving dunk
· 94 interior and perimeter defense
· Great speed and shooting
· Well-rounded in every category
His dribble package isn’t flashy, but it’s effective. He’s accessible for casual players while still being powerful in competitive modes.
The Battlegrounds Festival delivered huge value, and Terry Dischinger is a massive reason why.
1. Alexandre Sarr – Power Forward / Center
At number one, and honestly by a comfortable margin, is Alexandre Sarr.
Why Sarr is the best free card in NBA 2K26:
· 7’0” with a 7’4” wingspan
· Great defender and finisher
· Smooth, consistent jumper
· Can attack off the dribble
· Elite positional versatility
His speed (87) and agility (88) are the only “weaknesses,” and that’s barely a criticism. His release is far better than KG’s and only slightly behind Bosh’s.
Sarr is so good that he starts on both no-money-spent squads and full god squads. That alone tells you everything you need to know.
Final Thoughts
NBA 2K26 has raised the bar for free MyTEAM content. The fact that players like Steph Curry and Larry Bird barely crack the top half of this list shows how deep the card pool has become.
If you’re a no-money-spent player, you can build a legitimately elite lineup using nothing but grindable rewards—and that’s a massive win for the mode.
Expect this list to evolve as new content drops, but for now, these are the top 10 best free cards in NBA 2K26 MyTEAM.