NBA 2K26 will be dropping on September 5, 2025, with overall team and player ratings already revealed, which paints a much clearer picture of the best teams to play in the game.
First, to give you a bit of context on NBA 2K's team ratings, they're simply based on the average overall rating of each team's top 8 players. For example, the Lakers' top eight players are composed of Luka Doncic (96), Lebron James (96), Austin Reaves (87), Deandre Ayton (83), Rui Hachimura (81), Marcus Smart (79), Jaxson Hayes (78), and Jarred Vanderbilt (77). The total average would be 85 when rounded up. That's their overall team rating.
Now, let's get to the headliners. The highest-rated teams in the NBA are those that made big offseason moves like the LA Clippers and Denver Nuggets, while reigning champs OKC Thunder bring back their championship roster for another run at the gold.
Best Teams in NBA 2K26
At the top of NBA 2K26 team ratings sit the league's powerhouses, and this season showcases a lot of competition with championship contender teams having the same 85 overall team rating. So let's check out NBA 2k26's highest-rated teams, which you can take for a run to a championship in different game modes:
OKC Thunder (85 OVR)
OKC Thunder might just be the best team and easiest to play as a GM in NBA 2K26. You've got a roster of young players who are fresh off a championship led by SGA with a 98 overall rating, followed by Jalen Williams (89) and Chet Holmgren (87). Cap space isn't that flexible, and Chet is bound to get a huge salary bump at the very least next season, but having good, young players is always a plus when you're going for trades.
LA Lakers (85 OVR)
The Lakers are one of the best and most fun teams to play as in NBA 2K26. With both Luka Doncic and LeBron James sporting a 96 overall rating, this duo can steamroll most teams in the NBA. It's also one of the most challenging teams to play as a GM, because both your stars have eaten up most of the salary cap, and while LeBron at 40 years old is still one of the best players in the game, you might have to make a bitter choice after the season ends, as his contract is only good for this particular season.
LA Clippers (85 OVR)
The LA Clippers are more formidable this season with Kawhi Leonard (91) and James Harden (90) getting much-needed reinforcements in John Collins (85), Bradley Beal (83), Brook Lopez (83), and Chris Paul (80). That said, you'd be playing a double-edged sword in this team because you're also paying and playing the oldest team assembled in NBA's 2K26 season.
New York Knicks (85 OVR)
Last season can either be disappointing or hopeful, depending on your purview as a Knicks fan, but in NBA 2K26, you might finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. That's because this season's Knicks are a greater powerhouse than what we saw last season. The Knicks are rolling back their previous roster led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, both sporting a 93 overall and a much-improved rating of role players in Mikal Bridges (86), OG Anunoby (87), and Josh Hart (84). While the addition of Jordan Clarkson (80) is a welcome addition off the bench as a Midrange Slasher.
Denver Nuggets (85 OVR)
Denver is one of the favorites to win this season, and the same is true in NBA 2K26. The Joker leads the team with a 98 overall rating, followed by his frontcourt duo, Jamal Murray (87), and a host of role players in former All-Star Aaron Gordon (84) and Christian Braun (83). Cam Johnson is mostly the same player as Michael Porter Jr., but perhaps the greatest improvement is the addition of Jonas Valanciunas (81), which gives them more options to play at the post and better rebounding when Jokic is out.
Cleveland Cavaliers (85 OVR)
On paper, the Cavs have a better front/backcourt duo in Donovan Mitchell (94) and Evan Mobley (92), but they're suffering from a host of "average" players in Lonzo Ball (78), Larry Nance Jr (77), Sam Merrill (75), and Dean Wade (74). That said, this might be a good team to start your MyCareer with and a challenge to make changes on the roster as a GM.
Worst Team in NBA 2K26
Brooklyn Nets (79 OVR)
Our list won't be finished without mentioning the worst team in NBA 2K26. That spot belongs to the Brooklyn Nets with an overall rating of (79). Only 3 players are in the 80s overall rating, with no player reaching above 85 OVR. The cast of the low 80s includes Cam Thomas (84), Michael Porter Jr. (83), and Nic Claxton (82). The rest of the roster are a bunch of 77 OVRs and below, with role players such as Terrence Mann (77), Zaire Williams (77), Tyrese Martin (76), and Noah Clowney (74).
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