The Los Angeles Lakers will enter the 2024-25 season with a pair of rookies: Bronny James, the eldest son of Lakers superstar LeBron James, and former Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht.
The Lakers selected Knecht with the 17th overall pick and James with the 55th overall pick in the second round of the draft in June. James will likely spend most, if not all, of his rookie season in the G League with the South Bay Lakers. As for Knecht, he could play a pivotal role on a team that seeks its 18th title next season.
Both players will likely play different roles, but they still received their first NBA 2K grades. Ronnie 2K shared the rookie grades via Twitter/X.
New recruits, new grades.
Meet the new NBA rookie class in NBA 2K25 📈 @NBA2K pic.twitter.com/IpENJ69Xoe— Ronnie 2K 2K25 (@Ronnie2K) August 16, 2024
Knecht received an overall score of 70, while James received an overall score of 68.
James has an overall rating of 68, which ties him with 16 other players for the lowest overall rating among rookies. However, he is still just two points behind Knecht.
James is arguably the most polarizing pick in NBA draft history. He was heavily criticized leading up to the draft and even during July’s NBA 2k25 Summer League games in Las Vegas. The NBA world will likely get its first glimpse of the 19-year-old during the NBA preseason.
Knecht, 23, is as old as a rookie can get. He spent one year as a Tennessee Volunteer before the Lakers selected him with the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft. He’ll likely move on immediately and have a chance to increase that 70 rating throughout the season.
Knecht was projected to be a top pick in the draft, but he was passed over due to his age. Still, some believe he could be rated higher than a 70. The rookie guard can score in a variety of ways, is athletic and can provide three-point shooting, something the Lakers desperately need. He showed off his scoring chops during Summer League, and he’ll get a chance to do so again in the preseason.
NBA 2K25 ratings aren’t set in stone. They will change over the seasons based on a player’s performance.
The other notes will be revealed in the coming days and weeks. The video game will be released on September 6 on all platforms.
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