NBA 2K27 looks set to give the mid-range game a much bigger role, and that could change how people build lineups from day one. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the revealed ratings with a 99, while Nikola Jokić, Kyrie Irving, and Tre Johnson sit just behind him at 98. That matters because online defenders tend to sit on the three-point line, especially when they know a player can only score one way. A dependable pull-up jumper gives you another answer, and it also makes 2K27 MT spending decisions a little more interesting when you're choosing between a specialist and a more complete card. You won't need to force the same shot every possession. Sometimes the open space is sitting at the elbow.

SGA Sets the Standard

SGA's 99 rating is easy to understand when you watch how he creates separation. He doesn't need a huge amount of room. A small hesitation, a change of pace, or one hard stop can be enough to get a clean look. In NBA 2K27, that should translate into sharp pull-ups, step-back jumpers, and turnarounds near the lane line. The useful part is how naturally those shots fit into a normal possession. If the defender drops, you can rise up. If he steps forward, drive past him. If help arrives, kick the ball out. SGA gives you those choices without asking you to run a complicated set every time. For MyTeam players, that makes him more than a high number on a card. He can become the player you trust when the clock is low and the defence has taken away your first option.

Three Different Ways to Attack

The 98 group is where the ratings become more interesting. Jokić, Kyrie, and Tre Johnson all share the same mark, but they don't play alike at all. Jokić brings size, patience, and passing from the high post. Put him near the elbow and the defender has a problem: give him room and he shoots, crowd him and he can find a cutter. Kyrie is the opposite kind of threat. His handle lets you work side to side, stop suddenly, and create a jumper before the defence gets set. Tre Johnson offers a younger scoring profile, with the kind of in-between game that can be useful when a quick guard needs to punish a late closeout. The rating is a strong signal, but animations and release timing will still matter. A 98 looks great on paper. You still need to feel comfortable taking the shot.

Brunson, Cunningham, and Durant Bring More Balance

Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, and Kevin Durant form the 97 tier, and each one fits a different lineup plan. Brunson is built for crowded half-court possessions. He uses his body well, gets to his spots, and can pull up when a defender goes under a screen. Cunningham gives you more size and a useful mix of scoring and creation. A pick-and-roll with him can lead to a jumper, a drive, or a pass to the corner, so the defence can't simply load up on one outcome. Durant is the easy mismatch option. Smaller defenders may struggle to affect his release, while taller defenders might not stay in front of him. That makes his rating valuable even when the shot itself isn't wide open. You can use him at forward, clear a side, and let the matchup decide what comes next. The three players share a number, but the way you reach that shot is completely different.

Reading the Rest of the Top Ten

Brandon Ingram follows at 96, with Damian Lillard and DeMar DeRozan at 95. Ingram's length makes his jumper awkward to contest, particularly against smaller wings. Lillard is a useful reminder that a player known for deep shooting can still hurt a defence with a pull-up two. If opponents sprint out to stop his long-range attempts, the space behind them becomes available. DeRozan is the more traditional choice. He suits players who like isolation possessions, patient footwork, and a steady diet of shots from the elbows. These ratings also offer a clue for MyPLAYER builds. You don't have to pour every attribute into three-point shooting. A strong mid-range rating, paired with good ball control and reliable animations, can make a build much less predictable. You may notice the difference most when opponents start switching everything and the driving lane disappears.

Final Thoughts

The main lesson from the NBA 2K27 ratings is simple: don't treat the three as your only route to points. SGA is the clear leader, but Jokić, Kyrie, Tre Johnson, Brunson, Cunningham, Durant, Ingram, Lillard, and DeRozan all offer useful answers in different situations. Spacing still matters. So does shot timing. A high rating won't rescue a forced attempt, yet it can reward you when you read the defence properly. Try using a screen, attack a hard closeout, or stop just inside the arc when the defender retreats. In MyTeam, think about how a new scorer fits beside your current ball handlers rather than chasing a number on its own. In MyCAREER, build around the shots you actually enjoy taking. Keeping some 2K MT available also gives you room to adjust when the community learns which players feel best in real games.