OKC Thunder fans may be eager to see their team’s revamped roster take the field for what should be a title-winning 2024-25 campaign, but there are still a few months to go before things start to get going.
In the meantime, to soothe that proverbial itch, some might be content to see a virtual version of the club by purchasing and playing NBA 2K25, which is set for release on September 6.
Excitement for the latest installment in the video game franchise is at an all-time high, and just recently, fans were treated to the official release by 2K Sports of the ratings for all of the players that will be featured.
As is the case every year, there are a multitude of different views and opinions regarding how the grades were awarded, and while the Thunder may be tied for the second best mark From the team’s perspective, some of the ratings given to their players have been called into question.
This is not to say that all of these numerical attributions were wrong. In fact, some players were rated perfectly. That said, several individuals were rated outrageously and deserve to be debated.
With all that in mind, today we’re identifying three Thunder players who received ratings that were way too high, way too low, and one whose 2K rating was just right.
2K25 Rating: 81
This summer, the Thunder made the strategic and expensive decision to sign Isaiah Hartenstein to a three-year, $87 million contract on just the second day of the NBA’s free agency period.
With the move, Sam Presti appears to have filled the club’s biggest weakness in one fell swoop, as the 7’4″, 250 lbs pivot has the build to improve their lack of size and possesses the rough, brutal style of play that will add some much-needed physicality to their previously thin forward line.
And while there’s virtually no denying that, at least on paper, Hartenstein appears to be a terrific acquisition for Oklahoma City, it may also be true that his 81 rating may be a bit too high for someone of his ilk.
Don’t read what we don’t write here: The 26-year-old is a high-impact player who has proven himself capable of breaking the glass at an impressive level, successfully taking on superstars like Joel Embiid on defense, and is arguably one of the most great underrated passers the game has to offer.
Yet even with all of that, Hartenstein is, for lack of a better term, a role player in this league with a somewhat limited skill set.
How come he’s rated the same as legitimate franchise talent like Miles Bridges, reigning Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid and five-time All-Star Klay Thompson?
While it seems a little odd to object to an already beloved member of the Thunder being overrated in a ratings list, 2K seems to have been a little too generous with their ratings distribution here.
