The Los Angeles Lakers made a calculated risk at the tail-end of the 2024 NBA Draft. After selecting Dalton Knecht, perhaps the biggest steal of the first round, at No. 17 overall, the Lakers added Bronny James at No. 55 overall in round two.
As the Lakers prepare for the start of the 2024-25 NBA season, they've likely prepared themselves for the endless stream of think pieces that will emerge in regard to James' pro-level abilities.
With Summer League behind us, the next stop for the James hype train will be the release of NBA 2K25. The biggest basketball video game in the world is often the cause of endless debates, with few topics raging as powerfully as whether or not a player is appropriated rated.
One of the most highly-anticipated questions that will be answered in the near future is how NBA 2K25 rates James.
What should Bronny James be rated on NBA 2K25?
Considering Victor Wembanyama was an 84 entering the NBA and Brandon Miller was a 78, it's safe to say the range for James will fall below those two figures. Jett Howard, who was selected at No. 11 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, was a 72, as was 16th pick Keyonte George.
It's hard to imagine a player selected at No. 55 overall in 2024, let alone one whose general abilities are still somewhat unknown, will have the same initial rating as a first-rounder, let alone a lottery pick.
With this in mind, it's easier to imagine James in the range of 65-to-70 for an initial NBA 2K25 rating. It might seem low to those who are fans of him, but it's a fair range considering his limited playing time at USC and the fact that he was one of the final four picks of the 2024 NBA Draft.
In terms of a specific number, the safe bet is that James will check in at 68—with a boost to his overall rating coming from his athleticism and defensive instincts.
James is an impressive athlete, boasting a 40.5" max vertical leap and end-to-end speed that ranks favorably among the players in his draft class. That alone will help his rating reach the mid-60s, with the rest of his skill set providing any subsequent increase.
James looked the part of a capable playmaker and shooter during his high school career, and even showcased some potential at Summer League, but the uncertainty necessitates the sub-70 rating.
James appeared in 25 games with the USC Trojans during the 2023-24 season, averaging 19.4 minutes played per game. He averaged 10.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per 40 minutes, and shot 48.1 percent on two-point field goals, suggesting there's more to his game than his per-game statistics imply
It's possible that James will be rated higher due to his popularity alone, but no matter where he starts, any semblance of high-level play will result in in-season increases to his rating.