Cooper Flagg, Paul George Among NBA 2K26 Player Ratings Revealed for Nos. 71-100 List

Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg already ranks ahead of some notable veterans in the eyes of developers for NBA 2K26.

2K started to roll out the 100 best players in the game ahead of its global launch on Sept. 5. Flagg sits at No. 79 with an 82 overall rating, which is one point higher than the Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George, Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green, Portland Trail Blazers' Jrue Holiday and Boston Celtics' Anfernee Simons:

The 2K ratings team may have sold Flagg short when considering the immediate impact some first-year stars have had.

Luka Dončić opened at 79 in NBA 2K19 and climbed to an 87 for NBA 2K20. Ja Morant had a nearly identical jump, improving from 79 in NBA 2K20 to 85 in NBA 2K21. Victor Wembanyama was an 84 in NBA 2K24 and broke into the 90s a year later.

Still, it's a little jarring to see Flagg, having yet to play an NBA game, sit ahead of some peers with multiple All-Star appearances to their name.

With regard to George, this symbolizes how far his stock has fallen after a brutally disappointing first season with the Sixers.

The 35-year-old was Philly's marquee signing a summer ago and penned a $211.6 million contract. He proceeded to miss 41 games, and his performance when he suited up was a clear step below his usual standard. He averaged 16.2 points on 43 percent shooting.

As if things weren't bad enough, George underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in July.

An 81 overall rating will be George's lowest at launch since NBA 2K13, but it's a pretty fair reflection of the general questions about his value moving forward.