Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has solidified his status as the NBA’s leading star after steering the OKC Thunder to their championship victory in June. Following his achievement of both the MVP and Finals MVP honors, Gilgeous-Alexander was announced as the NBA 2K26 cover athlete, sparking widespread reactions among fans.
The announcement was first reported by NBA Insider Shams Charania and shared broadly by Legion Hoops on X (formerly Twitter). However, the reveal of the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 2K26 cover did not sit well with many NBA followers, who voiced strong criticism online.
Fan Reactions Reveal Mixed Feelings About the New NBA 2K26 Cover Star
The decision to feature Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the NBA 2K26 cover has been met with significant backlash. Some fans questioned the choice and expressed disappointment with the selection, criticizing both the player’s perceived talent and the cover’s design.
“Wow, you don’t even need to be talented to be on the cover of 2k anymore. What a disgrace,” a fan wrote. —Fan
“Finna be the worst NBA 2k cover of all time,” commented another. —Fan
“Smh … they gonna bring back the whistle badge and give it to him hall of fame … game is a*s,” added a third fan. —Fan
“The pic going to be him at the free throw line or what?” joked a fourth. —Fan
Despite the negativity, some supporters acknowledged Gilgeous-Alexander’s achievements and felt he was deserving of the honor. A few also reflected nostalgically on previous cover choices.
“Definitely deserved but maybe it’s just a me thing but lowkey miss the multiple players on the cover like they did before, if they did that I would of had him Ant and Haliburton on it for sure,” one fan explained. —Fan
“Crazy 2K gotta hate Steph Curry. This is well deserved for SGA should be his this year, but in 2022 summer, not picking Steph was wild. (No I’m not counting that 3 cover he got with AD and Harden),” another fan expressed. —Fan
By being named as the cover athlete, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins Kevin Durant as only the second OKC Thunder player to feature on the NBA 2K game cover.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Landmark Contract Extension with the Thunder
In addition to his 2K26 cover honor, Gilgeous-Alexander recently signed a super-maximum contract extension, further establishing his prominence in the league. After leading OKC to their first NBA title in 46 years, he agreed to a four-year deal worth $285 million, making it the highest annual salary in NBA history at $71.25 million per year.
This record-setting contract surpasses Joel Embiid’s previous highest annual salary of $64.3 million from his three-year, $193 million extension signed earlier in 2024. Gilgeous-Alexander’s deal keeps him committed to the Thunder through the 2030-31 season, reflecting the franchise’s confidence in him as their franchise cornerstone.
His remarkable 2024-25 performance, including winning the scoring title and collecting numerous individual accolades, justifies the sizable contract as he continues to elevate the Thunder’s status in the NBA.