The annual hype cycle for the latest NBA 2K installment is officially underway, and NBA 2K26 has already sparked massive excitement—and debate—within the community. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) officially revealed as the cover athlete, fresh rumors swirling about release dates, console exclusivity, and the return of legendary players, the stage is set for what could be one of the most controversial and game-changing releases in the franchise's history.

From locker codes to gameplay improvements, we're diving deep into what we know so far, what's rumored, and what the community is hoping for in NBA 2K26.

SGA Cover

Let's start with the big news: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, fresh off a Finals MVP win, is the official cover athlete of NBA 2K26. Fans saw it coming—SGA's stellar playoff performance and rising popularity made him a top contender—but now that it's official, opinions are flying.

Release Date

Leaked retailer listings and tweets from official sources suggest a September 5th, 2025 release date for NBA 2K26. That lines up with previous years' launches and puts us less than two months away from tip-off. Every year brings hope for a revitalized 2K, and every year comes with its own controversies, from gameplay imbalances to microtransaction overload. Still, that initial launch window is when the community feels most alive. From MyTEAM to MyCAREER, everyone logs in, experiments, grinds, and talks about 2K with real passion.

No More Old Gen? Welcome to the New Era

A major shake-up could be coming: NBA 2K26 may be exclusive to current-gen consoles, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and the newly revealed Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo of America raised eyebrows when it tweeted: “Pulling up from deep, even on the go. NBA 2K26 drops on the Nintendo Switch 2 this fall.”

That one sentence suggests several key things:

1. Switch 2 will support NBA 2K26 at launch, likely with full feature parity to other consoles.

2. PS4 and Xbox One may be left behind. There's no mention of those systems, and as development focus continues shifting toward next-gen tech, this may finally be the year that 2K fully lets go of the previous generation.

This change would be massive. Not only would it mean better visuals, smoother gameplay, and unified development, but it also could leave behind a large portion of the player base that hasn't upgraded yet.

Who's on the Legend Cover?

With SGA confirmed for the standard edition, speculation is flying about who will grace the Legend Edition of NBA 2K26.

Top fan picks include:

· Stephen Curry – Many feel he's long overdue for a solo cover. Though he shared space with Kevin Durant and James Harden back in 2K13, he's never had the full spotlight on his own.

· Kobe Bryant – Fans are begging 2K to bring Kobe back to MyTEAM. Licensing issues have kept him out of the spotlight recently, but the community hasn't stopped asking.

· Caitlin Clark – With 2K incorporating more WNBA content every year, Clark could easily become the WNBA cover athlete, especially after the wave of popularity she's brought to the sport.

Expect a Legends Reveal Trailer sometime in August if 2K follows past timelines.

Locker Codes

Let's address the locker code elephant in the room. Yes, there's a real chance 2K will drop a free GOAT Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as a launch locker code.

While this will disappoint players who already earned or bought an Invincible version, free high-end cards are a consistent part of 2K's launch strategy.

Other potential locker code rewards could include:

· WNBA players (again, this has become tradition)

· Free packs with guaranteed rubies or amethysts

· Diamond shoe packs

· Tokens or NBA 2K26 MT

If you're planning to start MyTEAM early, these codes can give you a big head start, so don't miss them.

Auction House & MyTEAM Improvements Needed

If there's one area the community universally agrees needs improvement, it's the auction house. Compared to older versions like 2K15 and 2K16, the current system is clunky, slow, and filled with bots.

Wishlist for MyTEAM includes:

· Better search filters

· Bots detection and removal

· Real-time price graphs

· Ability to mass sell or quickly sell duplicate cards faster

Mobile and Crossplay

With 2K's push toward mobile and handheld options (especially with Switch 2 support), there's hope that crossplay may finally become a reality in 2K26. This would be a massive W for the community, especially for MyTEAM and Park/Rec players who often struggle to find games at odd hours or in certain regions.

Final Thoughts

NBA 2K26 is shaping up to be one of the biggest 2K releases in years—but only if 2K delivers on its promises and community demands. Between the SGA cover reveal, potential new-gen exclusivity, a September 5th launch, and rumored free GOAT locker codes, the anticipation is high.