The best GOAT Build in NBA 2K27 depends on what you need it to do, and the good news is that several of the best are free from day one. Kawhi Leonard is the best defender you can use immediately, Klay Thompson the best shooter, and Young Kobe the best scorer you can earn without grinding REP. Below are our picks for each role, the best option you can get quickly, and the rating numbers behind every choice.
This ranking is based on each build’s ratings at 99 overall, as players report them from the in-game builder, and on how hard each one is to unlock. Every GOAT Build locks its animations, including the jump shot, so try a build in practice before committing.
The picks at a glance
| Role | Best overall | Best you can get quickly |
|---|---|---|
| Shooter | Ray Allen (REP Elite V) | Klay Thompson (day one) |
| Perimeter defender | Kawhi Leonard or LeBron James | Kawhi Leonard (day one) |
| Slasher | Derrick Rose (REP Elite VIII) | Young Kobe (Season Level 37) |
| Playmaker | Magic Johnson (Season Level 26) | Penny Hardaway (day one) |
| Rim protector | Hakeem Olajuwon (REP Elite V) | Dwight Howard (day one) |
| Stretch big | Dirk Nowitzki (Season Level 33) | Dirk Nowitzki |
| All-rounder | LeBron James (REP Legend I) | Andrei Kirilenko (day one) |
Best shooter: Ray Allen, or Klay Thompson for free
Ray Allen and Klay Thompson both have a 99 Three-Point Shot, the highest of the 18. Allen adds a 97 Mid-Range and 90 Free Throw and is quicker with the ball. Klay is the better defender, with a 94 Perimeter Defense, and he’s available from day one, while Allen needs REP Elite V. Unless you already have the REP, Klay is the practical pick.
Best defender: Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi has a 96 Perimeter Defense, a 94 Steal (the best in the set) and a 7’3” wingspan on a 6’7” frame. LeBron matches the 96 Perimeter Defense but sits behind REP Legend I. Kawhi is free from day one, which makes him the easiest recommendation on this list.
Best slasher: Derrick Rose, or Young Kobe
Rose has 99 Speed, Agility, Speed With Ball and Driving Dunk, faster than anything a custom 6’3” build can reach, but he needs REP Elite VIII. Young Kobe has the same 99 Driving Dunk with a 95 Vertical, and he unlocks at Season Level 37 of the free track. Michael Jordan, also at Elite VIII, is the best two-way version. Full breakdowns: Rose, Kobe and Jordan.
Best playmaker: Magic Johnson
Magic has a 99 Pass Accuracy and 97 Ball Handle at 6’9”, numbers no custom point guard of that height can get near: his Speed With Ball of 93 is 21 points above the normal cap for his size. He unlocks at Season Level 26. Penny Hardaway, a 6’7” point guard with 95 Ball Handle, is the day-one alternative.
Best big men: Hakeem, Dwight and Dirk
Hakeem has a 99 Interior Defense, 99 Post Control and 95 Block, the best defensive big in the set, but needs REP Elite V. Dwight Howard is the free option: 99 Standing Dunk, 94 Block and 94 rebounding at both ends. Dirk is the one big who stretches the floor, with 99 Mid-Range and 96 Three-Point Shot at 7’1”, from Season Level 33.
Best all-rounder: LeBron, or Kirilenko for now
LeBron has no real weakness: 95 Driving Layup and Dunk, 96 Perimeter Defense, 90 Pass Accuracy and 92 Strength. He’s also the hardest to get, at REP Legend I. Andrei Kirilenko is the surprise day-one pick: 92 Perimeter Defense, 93 Steal, 93 Block and 85 on both rebounding ratings. He won’t carry your scoring, but he does everything else.
For how to unlock each one, see our full list of all 18 GOAT Builds.
Ratings reflect NBA 2K27 Season 2 as reported from the in-game builder on 2 November 2026.