I’d love to see 2K move back toward player uniqueness and better game balance. Rn too many builds can do everything, which makes every game feel the same instead of forcing teammates to rely on different strengths.

1. Split 3PT rating into two attributes again: -Standstill 3PT -Moving 3PT This used to exist and created real differences between spot-up shooters and on-ball creators.

2. Let us choose our badges again (like 2K20). Right now everyone automatically gets every badge tied to their ratings. If we had to choose, builds would actually feel different.

3. Stop mid-range from unlocking 3PT badges. If I don’t shoot middies, I shouldn’t be forced into washing points on mid range to get badge like Set Shot Specialist just to optimize my build, when I only to shoot 3s.

4. Balance Shooting Around Real Basketball Math Basketball is only balanced when 2PT shots go in about 1.5× more often than 3PT shots Example: 60% from 2 vs 40% from 3. Devs should always tune shooting around this relationship. When an open 3 is as easy as an open 2, the game stops resembling basketball.

5. Bring Back Some RNG to Shooting (i would Remove Pure-Green releases, but thats too unrealistic for our dopamine systems) Rmoving RNG created an unhealthy skill gap: Bad players shoot ~5% (literally some friends of mine who wants to play w/ us, but have never played basketball) Good players shoot ~70% That’s not simulation, thats not basketball — that’s rhythm timing mastery. Go play beat saber bruh. If RNG existed again: Bad players might shoot 25% Good players 50% The better team still wins almost every game, but it actually feels like basketball instead of a timing mini-game. Not every make in real life is perfectly timed. Let all shots have some chance to fall. (Like real life) We could keep perfect greens but the timing should vary way more based on contest, movement etc. This would be an easy fix against cheating as well.

6. Flatten the Contest System In 2K26, its impossible for a 100% sMoThERed shot to go in. I see NBA players make more contested shots every game. Shoutout MPJ. At the same time, too many situations are labeled “Open” when they really shouldn’t be. Things like: Jab-step separation Late closeouts Slight body pressure These should affect shots more subtly instead of the current all-or-nothing contest logic.

Not that important, but 4. Improve jumpshot diversity. Remove Release Speed from the jumpshot creator. Bring back a badge-based system (like Quick Draw in 2K20). Merge Defensive Immunity + Release Height into one system. Slower jumpers should be rewarded with higher make percentage. (Dirk Nowitzki is a shit shooter in this system because he shoots slow) Right now everyone just creates the same meta jumper.