Los Angeles Lakers players who were rated way too low on NBA 2K25

With NBA 2K25 nearing its release date, player ratings have begun to flood the internet. Some of the top players in the world have checked in near the top of the proverbial leaderboard, including a three-way tie for the No. 1 spot between Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, and Nikola Jokic at 97.

Directly behind them are Los Angeles Lakers superstars LeBron James at 95 and Anthony Davis at 94—a video game way of saying L.A. has two of the best players on the planet.

While Davis and James can be argued as appropriately rated, several players on the Lakers have been underrated by 2K Sports. Their grades may not be far off from what they should be, but the disparity is a reflection of how underrated Los Angeles' supporting cast has become.

An injury-plagued second unit seems to have painted the picture of a starting lineup that wasn't in the Conference Finals as recently as 2023.

When Davis and James shared the court with Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, and D'Angelo Russell, the Lakers ranked in the 83rd percentile in net rating. It was one of the most efficient offensive lineups in the NBA, ranking in the 99th percentile in eFG%, and finishing in the 87th percentile in defensive rating.

With this in mind, it's hard to look at NBA 2K25's ratings as a sign of anything other than two of the Lakers' other starters being underrated—and one incoming rookie joins them in that regard.

Dalton Knecht entered the Association as one of the most under-appreciated players in his draft class. He'll continue that trend at the release of NBA 2K25, with an initial rating of 70 that speaks to how underrated he's become over the past two months.

Despite emerging as an all-but consensus choice to be selected in the top 10 at the 2024 NBA Draft, Knecht slid to the Lakers at No. 17—and is rated accordingly.

It would be understandable if 2K rated players based on where they were drafted. Knecht is, after all, tied for the No. 16-highest rating of any rookie in this class—a fact that should dissuade the likes of this writer from complaining.

Draft position clearly wasn't the reason for the ratings, however, as 22nd pick Da'Ron Holmes II and 27th pick Terrance Shannon Jr. were both rated at 71.

Knecht enters the NBA as the reigning SEC Player of the Year and one of the most skilled scorers in his class. He stands at 6'5" and 204 pounds with a 6'9" wingspan, an elite jump shot for a prospect, and quickness and leaping ability that ranked in the top tier of incoming rookies.

Considering Knecht has the athleticism, shooting, finishing ability, and handle to elevate his 2K rating, a 70 feels far too low.

It's hardly hyperbolic to say that NBA fans seem to have forgotten how good D'Angelo Russell is. Yes, he had an atrocious 0-of-7 shooting night in Game 3 of the first round loss to the Denver Nuggets in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

Russell is also one of the best shooters in the NBA, however, and his rating in that particular area is even more egregious than the debatably low 81 overall.

Complaining about an 81 is a bit ridiculous, but the details of Russell's ratings are what make it easy to question. For instance, his three-point shot is rated at an 83, which is solid, but somehow two points lower than LeBron James' 85.

For perspective: In 2023-24, Russell set a franchise record with 226 three-point field goals made, converted 0.9 more triples per game than James, and shot 0.5 percent better than him from beyond the arc.

That alone offers cause for trepidation, but Russell should realistically rank among the very best three-point shooters in the game—and an 83 is a far cry from that. This past season, Russell posted the third-highest three-point field goal percentage of any player who made at least 200 threes.

Furthermore, Russell was the only player in the NBA to average at least 18 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.0 three-point field goals made on 40.0 percent shooting or better from beyond the arc.

Postseason woes or not, he's better than an 81—and he's proven himself as the best shooter on the Lakers.

This is a bit easier to understand, as Gabe Vincent appeared in just 11 games last season. With those injury woes in mind, it would be difficult to justify giving him a higher rating than a 75, which is about as neutral as it gets.

In an ambitious endorsement of what Vincent will provide to the Lakers in 2024-25, however, the 75 rating just seems a bit too low.

Vincent was one of the breakout performers during the 2023 NBA Playoffs with the Miami Heat. He scored upwards of 20 points on five different occasions, including the 22 he posted to help close out the Milwaukee Bucks and the 29 he dropped in a win over the Boston Celtics.

Vincent even scored 23 points in a win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of the NBA Finals—but all of this has been forgotten due to his injuries.

It's fair to have Vincent below the 80 line, but a 75 feels a bit too low based on what he's done in the past. The fact that he missed what effectively amounted to a full season certainly justifies 2K's reluctance to rate him higher, but he's a better player when healthy than a 75.

Thankfully, ratings will be updated throughout the season—and all three of these Lakers should see theirs improve.