Victor Wembanyama Could Become the NBA 2K27 Cover According to Odds

Now that the dust has settled on the NBA Finals and the NBA Draft, all attention will be on free agency.

But the release of NBA 2K27 will take place in the first week of September. NBA fans and gamers will have a chance to use the entirely new rookie class and proper free agent fits on this new game.

Popular prediction market site Kalshi allows users to make trades of real-world events. As of June 25, they’re giving San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama an 84% chance of being named the cover of this year’s version of NBA 2K.

An 84¢ contract on Wembanyama to be named the cover of NBA 2K27 wouldn’t payout much, as it’s the favored outcome. New York Knicks NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson has a 20% chance of being the cover of the league’s popular video game, which would be a much more attractive contract for users seeking value.

Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards is the longshot, getting only a 9% chance of being named the cover athlete. Those chances increased following the breaking news of LaMelo Ball being traded to Minnesota. Certainly, the Timberwolves will be a popular team in the game next season.

How does NBA 2K decide the cover athlete?

Each year, NBA 2K takes their time determining the cover athlete.

For the game’s main cover, they typically select an up-and-coming superstar. A player whose stock could be on the rise would be the usual target. They also like to take advantage of significant benchmark moments in the NBA (like winning a championship, MVP, etc.).

Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the cover of NBA 2K26. He had won his first MVP and NBA Championship. Carmelo Anthony was the superstar edition cover and Angel Reese was the WNBA edition cover.

Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum was the cover of NBA 2K25. For 2K24, the game tributed the cover to Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.

Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker was the cover of NBA 2K23 and Luka Doncic was the cover of NBA 2K22. Damian Lillard, Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyrie Irving and Paul George have also been on NBA 2K covers in the last decade.

It’s likely that Wembanyama or Brunson will be this year’s cover athlete. The value would be on Brunson after winning a championship and breaking New York’s five-decade title drought. But for now, Wembanyama remains the favorite as the future face of the league.