Luka Doncic lands at 95 overall in NBA 2K26, the fourth-highest rating, signaling elite status as the new season approaches. A modest dip from last year’s 97 is noted, but improved conditioning shown in Slovenian exhibitions sparks MVP‑caliber expectations for the Mavericks’ star. LeBron James sits at 94, seventh, with Jokic still looming as the standard bearer. The piece frames Doncic as the focal point whose on‑court dominance could surge again as shape and usage align this season.

2K26’s reveal sets a clear storyline: Doncic remains the franchise engine, LeBron still a fantasy cornerstone for LAL, and Jokic’s star power anchors the era’s top tier. The chatter around 2K27 hints at ongoing evolution, but real‑world performance will determine fantasy value far more than virtual ratings ever could.

NBA 2K26 unveils its Top 100, and the Dallas Mavericks punch three players into the elite group: Anthony Davis sits at No. 12 with a 93 overall, Kyrie Irving is right behind at No. 24 with a 90, and Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 pick in the draft, lands at No. 79 with an 82. Flagg earns a special nod as the game’s top rookie, surpassing Dylan Harper by four points. The list also notes that PJ Washington, Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford did not crack the Top 100 this year.

Irving’s ACL rehab will shape early-season usage, while Davis is anticipated to shoulder Mavericks’ heavy lifting as the primary option. Lively II and Gafford are highlighted as solid shot-blocking talents (both at 91), and the game assigns Jokic and Curry standout mid-range and ball-handling benchmarks. Irving’s ball-handling reaches 99; Jokic sits at 98 mid-range, while Thompson checks in with 89 from deep. The release schedule lands Sept. 5 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, with early access on Aug. 29 for deluxe versions. Dallas fans also get a preseason test versus Oklahoma City in Fort Worth ahead of the full launch.

Serbia enters EuroBasket 2025 as a frontrunner, led by Nikola Jokic and a 깊 depth roster that includes Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nikola Jovic, Nikola Topic, Tristan Vukcevic and Vasilije Micic. Jokic’s inside-out mix, plus Micic’s EuroLeague savvy, keep Serbia ahead of the pack as they chase a title. France’s own NBA edge is thinning with Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert sidelined, opening the door for a healthier field that also features Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece. Bogdanovic speaks about embracing the pressure while staying focused on the tournament’s climb. Serbia aims to peak at the right moment, balancing hype with execution.

Denver remains a perennial 50-win contender as the Nuggets head into 2025-26 with a coaching transition under David Adelman and a sharpened roster. Bleacher Report’s preview pins Denver at 54-28, four wins better than 2024-25, a mark that would tie for the franchise’s fourth-most all-time. Nikola Jokic stands as the anchor, with Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon in position to push the offense, while the return of Bruce Brown and the addition of Tim Hardaway Jr. strengthen the wing and secondary scoring. In the frontcourt, Cameron Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas join a core that already includes Christian Braun, DaRon Holmes II, and Julian Strawther, giving Denver increasing floor spacing, savvy finishing, and interior presence.

The Nuggets open the season October 23 vs. Golden State, a showcase for their revamped rotation and Adelman’s system. FanDuel’s over/under sits at 53.5 wins, underscoring the expectation of a tight, high-caliber campaign. The chatter around Jokic remains that he’s the near-unanimous top asset in the world, with Burns of the fan base in Milwaukee, L.A., and Oklahoma City still debating the case for others. Denver’s mix of MVP-caliber talent and reinforced depth keeps them squarely in the championship mix as they chase another deep playoff run.

Michigan added a towering, skilled piece in the transfer portal: 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara from UCLA. Mara’s game blends size with a surprising passing touch, a rare combo for players of his height. At UCLA he carved out a meaningful role late in the season, and his decision to move to Michigan came after seeking more Two-way opportunity for his senior-year trajectory. The move aligns with a Wolverines frontcourt plan that values ball movement and floor spacing, and Mara’s presence promises an intriguing dynamic as Dusty May’s offense seeks to maximize bigs who can lift both scoring and distribution.

In UCLA’s second half of the season Mara became a difference-maker: 22 points on 7-for-7 shooting in a win at Pauley Pavilion, display of efficiency and improved confidence. He averaged 6.4 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist in limited minutes, with a 16.6% assist rate that would rank among the taller players in the conference. Mara’s passing draws direct lines to Jokic and Gasol, whom he cited as inspirations, underscoring a potential future in which Michigan’s bigs orchestrate ball movement and create opportunities for guards and wings. Michigan’s January win over UCLA also provided Mara with a real-world example of how the Wolverines deploy their bigs in motion, which excites him about fitting into a system already proven to leverage length and precision.