2K Sports has announced the first half of the top 100 rated players list, ahead of NBA 2K25’s release on September 6. As is always the case, the ratings reveal has generated heated discussions across social media platforms. Plenty of notable names have seen their rating take a dip, and are currently excluded from NBA 2K25’s top 50. Additionally, there are some notable players whose ratings improved yet were unable to crack the top 50.
Take a look at the ratings below and decide for yourself whether they are accurate or not.
Surprise Names Excluded from NBA 2K25’s Top 50
Big Names Decline in NBA 2K25
James Harden
2K24 to 2K25 rating: 89→84(-5)
James Harden‘s rating plummets from 89 to 84 in NBA 2K25, and that seems a bit harsh. The 34-year-old is no longer primed for 40-point outbursts on a nightly basis, but his role has also changed. Harden was the clear third option behind Kawhi Leonard and Paul George last season.
The former MVP will have the chance to take on a more prominent role with the Los Angeles Clippers this season following George’s departure to the Philadelphia 76ers.
James Harden being rated among this group of players for NBA 2K25 is so disrespectful.
(h/t @NBA2K, @BleacherReport) pic.twitter.com/u7rD1GuRSa
— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) August 20, 2024
Darius Garland
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
2K24 to 2K25 rating: 86→82(-4)
Darius Garland struggled to remain healthy in 2023-24, justifying his -4 rating decrease. The 24-year-old only appeared in 57 regular season games. Garland was a shadow of his former self in the playoffs, averaging just 15.7 points.
Klay Thompson
2K24 to 2K25 rating: 85→81(-4)
Klay Thompson‘s ill-fated final season in Golden State sees him decline by four points. The 34-year-old five-time All-Star averaged just 17.9 points, his lowest output since 2012-13. Thompson was even pulled from the starting lineup during portions of the regular season, a move that would have been unfathomable just a few seasons ago. Thompson will hope a fresh scenery in Dallas can resurrect his glittering career.
Zach LaVine
2K24 to 2K25 rating: 86→83(-3)
Once considered the cornerstone of a promising Chicago Bulls franchise, Zach LaVine now finds himself at odds with the fanbase and organization. The former UCLA star played just 25 games in 2023-24, averaging 19.7 points, well below his Bulls career average of 24.2. The high-flyer sees his rating drop from 86 to 83. A likely trade may be just what LaVine needs to reestablish himself among the NBA 2K elites.
Who Improved in NBA 2K25?
Dereck Lively II
2K24 to 2K25 rating: 72→81(+9)
Dereck Lively‘s rookie campaign with the Dallas Mavericks was a memorable one, despite having to fight through the adversity of losing his mother to cancer. The 20-year-old averaged 8.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game and was an integral piece of the Mavericks run to the NBA Finals. Alongside Daniel Gafford, Lively forms one of the more imposing offensive frontcourts in the Western Conference.
Jalen Suggs
2K24 to 2K25 rating: 76→82(+6)
A rugged defender with extraordinary shot-making capabilities, Jalen Suggs stepped into his own in 2023-24. Alongside Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, he helped the Orlando Magic reach the postseason for the first time since 2020. The 6-foot-5 combo guard has established himself as one of the premier guards in the Eastern Conference and is firmly entrenched as part of the Magic’s core going forward.
Alex Caruso
2K24 to 2K25 rating: 78→82(+6)
The Chicago Bulls fan-favorite continued to prove his defensive prowess last season, earning All-NBA Defensive honors for the second year in a row. Alex Caruso‘s offensive output nearly doubled from the season prior, averaging 10.1 points in 2023-24 as opposed to 5.6 in 2022-23. Caruso left the Windy City this offseason as part of a trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Coby White
2K24 to 2K25 rating: 76→81(+5)
Coby White enjoyed an All-Star caliber campaign in 2023-24 and has seemingly taken over the reins from DeMar DeRozan in Chicago. The speedy point guard had flashed potential in the past, but he put it all together last season. White averaged 19.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. If White continues on his ascending path, his NBA 2K25 rating of 81 will seem far too low for one of the top guards in the East. Notably, White started at a 76 overall last year however, he finished the season as an 82 making his 2k25 even more questionable.
Severely underrated: Coby White is an 81 overall in NBA2K25
I expect a big leap from him this season pic.twitter.com/7ZAJEObalM
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 19, 2024
Andrew Nembhard
2K24 to 2K25 rating: 76→81(+5)
Andrew Nembhard‘s offensive explosion in last year’s playoffs announced his arrival on the big stage. Despite the Pacers being swept in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Boston Celtics, Nembhard showed out in the series, scoring 32 points in Game 3.
