The Los Angeles Lakers have placed a surprising emphasis on the value of the NBA Draft in 2024. Rather than parting with picks for a proven commodity, Los Angeles utilized its first-round selection to acquire Dalton Knecht and a late second-rounder to land Bronny James.
While the start of the regular season is still roughly two months away, early ammunition has been provided to the Lakers' rookie duo.
Los Angeles selected Knecht at No. 17 overall after he captured the SEC Player of the Year award and led the Tennessee Volunteers to their best season in more than a decade. It selected James on day two of the 2024 NBA Draft, utilizing the No. 55 overall selection.
In a series of posts on X, Ronnie 2K revealed that the ratings are in for the incoming class of rookies—with Knecht underrated at 70 and James not far behind at 68.
— Ronnie 2K 2K25 (@Ronnie2K) August 16, 2024
In the modern era, this can act as an extraordinary motivator for players looking to prove their skeptics wrong—and that's exactly what James and Knecht will have a chance to do.
Dalton Knecht a 70, Bronny James a 68 in NBA 2K25
Knecht may have been the No. 17 pick in the draft, but he was a projected top-10 selection for a reason. He's one of the best shooters and athletes in his class, as well as a three-level scoring threat who can finish through contact.
During his final collegiate season, Knecht averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2.6 three-point field goals made on .458/.397/.772.
Furthermore, the incoming rookie led Tennessee to its first Elite Eight appearance since 2010. During the Elite Eight, a clash with Zach Edey, given a rating of 72, and the Purdue Boilermakers, Knecht dropped 37 points to give his team a chance.
Knecht also thrived during Summer League, averaging 21.3 points per game on 39.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc during the Las Vegas portion of the event.
Unfortunately, Knecht is entering the NBA with the same 2K25 rating as multiple second-round draft picks. He's also rated just two points higher than James, who was taken within the final four picks of the annual selection process.
That's no slight against James, but instead a comment about how the draft night skeptics seem to have found their way into the NBA 2K25 ratings process.
As for James, a 68 is an appropriate rating that's actually identical to our earlier prediction. It reflects the presence of upside and athletic ability, but also the absence of extensive film to truly dissect what he'll be able to do at the next level.
Regardless of what you feel James and Knecht's ratings should've been, what's clear is that NBA 2K25 just offered them an offseason rush of motivation to silence their skeptics.