NBA 2K26 vs. 2K16 Ratings Comparison: A Decade of Evolution From rising rookies to ratings inflation, here’s how today’s NBA 2K26 numbers stack up against the beloved NBA 2K16 era

NBA 2K26’s first overall rating updates are officially live, and they’ve already sparked conversations around who deserved upgrades, who got snubbed, and how these numbers stack up to the classic 2K16 era.

Ten years may not seem long in the real world, but in the NBA — and in NBA 2K — it’s a lifetime. With new stars rising, rookies breaking out, and the league’s style evolving, the way 2K measures player talent has shifted dramatically.

Here’s a look at the biggest movers in the latest update, followed by a deep dive into how 2K26 compares to the legendary 2K16.

📈 Raptors Rating Shifts — The Highs and Lows

The Toronto Raptors saw a handful of small but meaningful adjustments, typical for an early-season update. Most players shifted just one or two points, but the direction of movement says a lot.

Major Risers:

Scottie Barnes — 86 (+1)
Brandon Ingram — 85 (+1)
Collin Murray-Boyles — 77 (+5)
Jamal Shead — 74 (+1)
Jamison Battle — 74 (+3)

Barnes and Ingram continue strong starts, with both putting up near-All-Star numbers. Murray-Boyles earned the biggest jump, becoming the latest reminder that rookies often start underrated before settling into their roles.

Major Fallers:

Immanuel Quickley — 79 (-2)
Jakob Poeltl — 79 (-1)
Gradey Dick — 76 (-2)
Ja’Kobe Walter — 73 (-1)

Quickley’s dip stands out most. Despite solid playmaking, he’s fallen out of the top 100 in rating — a spot many fans would argue undersells his real impact.

🧩 Rookie Rollercoaster — Big Jumps and Tough Drops

As usual, rookies saw the most drastic changes as 2K adjusts early projections to real production.

Notable Rookies Trending Up:

VJ Edgecombe — 81 (+5)
Cedric Coward — 80 (+8)
Jeremiah Fears, Kon Knueppel, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Sion James, Will Richard — all rising

Coward and Edgecombe have been early standouts, delivering strong offensive and defensive numbers that warranted major boosts.

Rookies Trending Down:

Cooper Flagg — 80 (-2)
Ace Bailey — 73 (-4)

Flagg’s slow start with Dallas and Bailey’s early struggles explain the drops — though expectations may still be inflating their ratings slightly.

🔥 Veteran Risers — Surprise Breakouts

Several vets have exceeded expectations so far:

Cam Spencer — 74 (+6)
Keyonte George — 82 (+4)
Jake LaRavia — 78 (+4)
Reed Sheppard — 76 (+4)
Ajay Mitchell — 79 (+6)
Josh Okogie — 75 (+5)

These jumps reflect the early-season trends of emerging role players stepping into bigger responsibilities.

On the star side, standout performers like Tyrese Maxey (89, +3), Jalen Johnson (+4), Aaron Gordon (+1), and Lauri Markkanen (+3) continue to climb.

📉 Veteran Drops — Underperformers Feel the Hit

A few household names took noticeable dips:

Joel Embiid — 90 (-2)
Myles Turner — 81 (-2)
Anfernee Simons — 78 (-3)
Derrick White — 84 (-3)
Karl-Anthony Towns — 90 (-2)
Josh Hart — 78 (-3)
Jordan Clarkson — 76 (-2)

Some declines reflect slow starts or team struggles, while others reflect 2K recalibrating inflated launch-day ratings.

🏀 2K26 vs. 2K16 — How Ratings Have Evolved

Comparing modern ratings to 2K16 reveals one key theme: ratings inflation.

In 2K26:

23 players are rated 90+ overall

In 2K16:

Only 6 players reached 90 overall

Back then, stars like Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan sat at 83 OVR while ranking among the league’s top 40 players. Today, similar production often lands players in the high 80s or even low 90s.

This inflation creates odd inconsistencies:

Tyrese Maxey (33 PPG) sits at 89 — nearly the same as 2016 DeRozan while vastly outscoring him.
Russell Westbrook (2016, 23–10–8) was an 89 while being sixth in the league.
Evan Mobley (2026) is also an 89 but is the twenty-sixth best player.

Clearly, the scale has shifted.

📊 Why Ratings Feel Looser Today

A few factors explain the changes:

Higher modern scoring averages make today’s stats look inflated relative to 2016.
Brand bias remains strong — big names tend to retain rating power even during down years.
Consistency issues continue across 2K’s annual titles.
Rookies and fringe players fluctuate wildly due to limited early film.

Improved player development and deeper analytics make the modern NBA incredibly skilled, but 2K’s rating curve hasn’t always kept pace with the league's reality.

🔥 Final Thoughts

NBA 2K26’s first rating update paints a picture of a league in transition — rising rookies, rebalanced veterans, and a rating system that’s clearly shifted over the past decade.

Whether you prefer 2K16’s tighter scale or 2K26’s more generous ratings, one thing is certain: the game’s approach to evaluating talent is changing just as fast as the NBA itself.