Paolo Banchero and Chet Holmgren Reveal Their All-Time NBA 2K Teams The rising NBA rivals squared off in NBA 2K26, sharing laughs, bragging rights, and their ultimate fantasy lineups

Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren and Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero may be rivals on the court, but their latest showdown came through the sticks in NBA 2K26. The result? A mix of bragging rights, fantasy lineups, and insight into the mindset of two of the league’s brightest young players.

🏆 Paolo Claims the Win

Holmgren took control of his own Thunder squad — fresh off their first real-life championship run — while Banchero rolled with the Magic. Despite OKC being rated higher as a Tier 1 team in NBA 2K26, Paolo dominated the matchup, running up the score and joking afterward that he deserved a trophy for the win.

📝 Holmgren’s All-Time 2K Lineup

Chet went with a modern small-ball superteam:

Stephen Curry
Michael Jordan
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Kevin Durant (at center!)

Holmgren’s picks leaned heavily on perimeter shooting, spacing, and defensive versatility — the kind of lineup built to overwhelm opponents with speed and firepower.

📝 Banchero’s All-Time 2K Lineup

Paolo’s five had plenty of overlap, but with a more traditional twist:

Penny Hardaway
Michael Jordan
LeBron James
Kevin Durant
Shaquille O’Neal

With Shaq anchoring the middle and Hardaway’s blend of size and playmaking at guard, Banchero’s team had the tools to dominate inside while still spacing the floor with Durant and LeBron.

💡 Beyond the Game

The session wasn’t just about bragging rights. Holmgren reflected on the surreal experience of lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy with the Thunder last summer, while Banchero spoke about the rookies he’s most excited to watch this year — including Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg.

Both also praised NBA 2K26’s new features, from expanded MyTeam options to MyPlayer improvements. They highlighted how integrating WNBA stars like Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson adds a new layer of fun and balance when building fantasy rosters.

🔮 Looking Ahead

Paolo may have earned the win in their 2K matchup, but both players showed why they’re shaping the NBA’s future — both on the hardwood and in the digital world. With Holmgren chasing another championship in OKC and Banchero pushing Orlando into playoff contention, these two will continue to be names to watch in both basketball and NBA 2K26.