Anthony Edwards feels primed for a unique NBA honor

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been announced as the cover athlete for NBA 2K26, an honor following his MVP, Finals MVP, and scoring title achievements.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is strongly positioned to be the cover athlete for NBA 2K27. He fits the typical profile of a 2K cover star, similar to past athletes like Luka Dončić, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, and SGA – young, marketable, and entertaining in both playstyle and personality. Edwards will be 25 before the 2026-27 season.

Outside of Nikola Jokić (who is unlikely to want a cover), Edwards is arguably the best active player yet to appear on a 2K cover. His impressive stats last season (27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists) and leading the Timberwolves to consecutive Western Conference Finals bolster his case. The article suggests that leading the Wolves to the NBA Finals would almost guarantee him the 2K27 cover.

Edwards, currently 24, has room for further improvement in areas like playmaking and mid-range consistency. Even if he maintains his current elite level without a massive leap, a 2K cover is deemed an appropriate honor. Few other logical, non-previous cover athlete candidates exist beyond possibly Victor Wembanyama or Jokić.

The article states that Edwards would have been the clear choice for the 2K26 cover if not for SGA. Edwards meets all the criteria for a cover athlete and is one of the most accomplished players not yet featured. Ultimately, all signs point to Anthony Edwards being on the cover of NBA 2K27.