Cooper Flagg anchors NBA 2K26’s rookie wave, landing an 82 overall to begin his Dallas Mavericks career as the top-rated newcomer. He sits 79th overall league-wide, ahead of notable rookies Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey and VJ Edgecombe, who come in at 78, 77 and 76 respectively. The game also features Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the Standard Edition cover star for OKC, Carmelo Anthony for the Superstar Edition, and Angel Reese for the WNBA Edition, underscoring the cross-era hype around this rookie class. Flagg’s path in Dallas will be watched closely, given his Duke-driven college dominance and Summer League showing where he posted strong scoring and versatility. The mix of high expectations for Flagg and the presence of established stars around him sets the stage for a high-variance, fantasy-friendly rookie season that could unlock immediate opportunistic value in deeper leagues while demanding patience in shallower formats. The 2K26 release window is set for Sept. 5, adding another layer of anticipation for fantasy managers mapping out early-season strategies.