Days after going over the top cover candidates for Madden 19 for last week’s Top Ten Tuesday, information about the game was revealed. Perhaps the same will happen with NBA 2K19 this week, as we’re going over the top ten cover candidates for the next edition of the hit NBA video game franchise from 2K Sports.
10. Devin Booker
If the Suns were a better team, Devin Booker would be a stronger candidate for the cover of NBA 2K19. The 21-year-old sharpshooter can fill it up better than most players in the league, which is what a lot of fans want to see today. Booker will likely be on the cover of a game in the series at some point, especially as the Suns emerge and get out of the bottom of the standings.
9. Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns already has a history with NBA 2K, as he’s appeared on NBA 2KTV a couple of times and has been the face of the game’s mobile app. It makes sense to now put him on the “big game” cover. There could be some concern about KAT potentially getting traded after Kyrie Irving was on the cover of last year’s game and then was dealt from Cleveland to Boston. 2K might not want that to happen again.
8. Victor Oladipo
This season, Victor Oladipo proved all the doubters that treated him as an afterthought wrong, as the former Magic and Thunder guard made Third Team All-NBA and First Team All-Defensive in his first season with the Pacers. If 2K wants to put an emphasis on perimeter defense this year, Oladipo is a good cover star for it.
7. Jimmy Butler
Similarly, Jimmy Butler is one of the league’s best two-way players and could lead any potential changes to the defensive side in NBA 2K19. Also, Butler is a member of “Team 2K” when they had that ahead of NBA 2K17. Butler’s personality would be a good fit on the cover and would help sell the game.
6. Donovan Mitchell
Despite going 13th overall in last year’s draft, Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell had one of the best rookie seasons in NBA history. Mitchell set the rookie record for three-pointers in a season, leading Utah to a playoff berth and first-round win against the Thunder despite going against a team with Russell Westbrook and Paul George, among others. Mitchell is a future superstar, so maybe they’ll want to wait a year or two from now—but it could happen as soon as this season.
5. Ben Simmons
The Donovan Mitchell-Ben Simmons debate for Rookie of the Year has been heated, so it’s fitting that they are back-to-back on the list of potential cover athletes for NBA 2K19. Simmons is a ton of fun to watch as a unique Magic Johnson-like point guard that can do things not many others can. He’s also a very marketable young player with the international ties. A bonus is that Simmons is a legit gamer, as is Karl-Anthony Towns.
4. Damian Lillard
It’s been well-documented that Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard has been disrespected for some time, but that changed this season when he was named First Team All-NBA. The first-round sweep at the hands of Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, and the Pelicans was not a great note to end the season, but this season Lillard will again be one of the NBA’s best guards in a guard-stacked league.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo just keeps getting better and better, and he’s still only 23 despite five seasons in the NBA. The Greek Freak has the international appeal, the marketability, and the stellar play on the court to make him an obvious choice for the cover of NBA 2K19. If he wants to be on the cover, it’ll happen at some point in his career.
2. Russell Westbrook
By appearing on the cover of a failed NBA Live game from EA Sports, Russell Westbrook might have miscalculated—but it’s no surprise Westbrook zigged while others zagged. The tenacious OKC superstar might not be interested in appearing on the cover of NBA 2K after some of his rivals did, but he’s a beloved player and fans would love it.
1. Joel Embiid
Finally, there might not be a better player to market the game than Sixers center Joel Embiid. The Cameroonian big man might be the top social media user of all NBA players, so selling NBA 2K19 wouldn’t be an issue for him. Embiid also happens to be a beast on the basketball court, and putting him on the cover wouldn’t just be a move based on his antics and charm. Additionally, it’s probably time for a true center to get on the cover of NBA 2K.
Lol ok put Embiid or Simmons on it
Embiid and Simmons both on it?
It seems like everyone has been on the cover already. I could see Curry or AD again.
Westbrook
I’m happy with any of the top 6
Let’s see multiple players on the cover