The NBA off-season is officially in full throttle, and with it comes the speculation of trades and free agency. In the case ofNBA 2K, fans are gearing up for the next addition to the premier basketball gaming franchise, eagerly awaiting new ratings for players on their favorite teams and the chance to create a world-beating avatar in the eternally popular MyPlayer mode. One of the hottest topics of discussion with the advent of every edition is the choice of a cover star, and each year brings new candidates to be the face ofNBA 2K. In some years, the sheer symbolism of some players makes the decision nearly unanimous, andNBA 2K24is shaping up to be one such edition.
The NBA has an abundance of superstars, and it can be difficult for 2K Sports to decide on a select few to lead their game’s image. However, the recently concluded 2022-23 season should give the developer a clue of the players that draw the most fan engagements, and newly-crowned accolade winners from the regular season and playoffs should be at the forefront of the shortlist to beNBA 2K24’s cover star. When it comes toNBA 2K24’s potential cover stars,NBA 2Khas a unique opportunity to honor one of the greatest stars in the sport’s history for the new edition.
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Kobe Bryant
Kobe’s image transcended the sport of basketball, attaining global superstardom from the turn of the century in an awe-inspiring duo with Shaquille O’Neal and later evolving as the face of the Los Angeles Lakers franchise between the mid-2000s and early 2010s. He joined a select group of players to have two jersey numbers retired, donning the legendary number 24 at the absolute zenith of his career. His tragic passing in 2020 shook the world of sports, and 2K Sports has another chance to honor Kobe Bryant with2K24’s cover after featuring the star on theMamba Forever Edition inNBA 2K21.
Nikola Jokic
In a meteoric rise from his lowly beginnings as the 41st pick of the 2014 NBA draft, Nikola Jokic has taken the league by storm, winning back-to-back MVPs in 2021 and 2022, as well as finishing as the runner-up to Joel Embiid in the 2022-23 season. Already one of thebest centers in the game’s history, Nikola took things a step further this year by willing the Denver Nuggets to the title—an unprecedented milestone in the franchise’s history—and winning the Finals MVP trophy, making him an obvious favorite for the role ofNBA 2K24’s cover star.
Jimmy Butler
The playoffs are the pinnacle of basketball competition, and Jimmy Butler proved to every basketball fan that he blazes like the sun under the brightest lights. After coasting through the regular season, Jimmy Butler led the Miami Heat to complete one of the biggest upsets in modern NBA history, eliminating the 1-seed Milwaukee Bucks in just five games in a display of sheer willpower and mesmerizing physicality. Despite ultimately falling short in theNBA Finals, Playoff Jimmy did enough to warrant consideration forNBA 2K24’s cover.
Joel Embiid
A perennial MVP candidate, Joel Embiid finally attained the highest individual honor in basketball in 2023, dominating the regular season and beating out intense competition from Jokic. The face of the Philadelphia 76ers' famous Process, Embiid won the scoring title for the second time, and the dominant center has a fair case to be the face ofNBA 2K24.
LeBron James
Pundits have run out of superlatives to describe the greatness of LeBron James, and his constantly supreme level of play continues to turn heads at the age of 38. In the 2023 season, the Lakers star broke the all-time scoring record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for 38 years, further cementing his status as one of the greatest players to touch a basketball—arguably only behind Michael Jordan. There’s already achallenge in2K23celebrating LeBron’s achievement, and the legendary run could continue as a cover star inNBA 2K24.
