Though the regular season may still be a couple of months away, NBA 2K25 is slated to release in just a matter of weeks, meaning basketball fans worldwide will at least be able to see their favorite ball clubs return to the hardwood in a virtual setting as soon as September 6.
Recently, 2K Sports released its ratings for all players that will be featured in the upcoming game and, as is the case with any such list, consensus feeling does not appear to be approval, especially when it comes to some specific members of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Now, not all is out of whack when it comes to the latest rankings release, as some players were, in fact, assessed beautifully. However, others were seen attached to egregious grades which, naturally, fans have not shied away from voicing their opinion about.
With this in mind, today we pinpoint three Grizzlies players who received ratings that were way too low, way too high, and, excitingly enough, just right.
Memphis Grizzlies NBA 2K25 ratings
Jake LaRavia: Way too high
2K25 Rating: 75
It feels weird to put a negative spin on a Grizzlies player receiving a higher than expected rating heading into 2024-25, but, if we’re being honest, 75 may be a bit too high for the likes of Jake LaRavia.
Don’t get us wrong, the 22-year-old has displayed flashes of becoming a solid rotation player throughout his two seasons with the franchise, especially during the final 22 games of last season where he averaged 15.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 steals on 37.7 percent shooting from deep, but flashes are all he’s showcased.
Since being snatched up with the 19 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, LaRavia has yet to prove capable of putting forth consistent levels of production at the next level and has regularly found himself revolving in and out of the G League over this span.
With all this in mind, how is it that the promising, albeit unproven youngster is just two rating points lower than tried and true impact contributors in Luke Kennard and Santi Aldama (both 77), and is only four points separated from GG Jackson, a player who proved that he’s worthy of being viewed as a legitimate cornerstone talent and has some going as far as to put him in the conversation of being one of the greatest second-round picks of all time?
Desmond Bane: Way too low
2K25 Rating: 83
Desmond Bane may not be a star from the technical sense of the word, but he dang sure has played like one throughout his four-year professional career, especially over his last three while serving as the team’s primary backcourt running mate adjacent to superstar Ja Morant.
Since 2021-22, the 26-year-old has manned the starting two-guard position for this Grizzlies team that has seen two 50-plus win seasons, two consecutive second-seed finishes in the Western Conference standings, and helped guide the franchise to their fourth-ever semifinals berth while posting 20.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals on 41.2 percent shooting from deep throughout.
Yet, despite these averages and accomplishments, Bane’s 83 2K25 rating hovers in the same range as several inferior players from a talent and/ or accolades standpoint.
Examples of such players within his vicinity include, though are not limited to Deandre Ayton, Kyle Kuzma, and Zach LaVine, all of whom (especially LaVine) have proven to be impressive ballers in the association, but could easily be argued as lesser than Bane (especially Ayton and Kuzma) from an overall play standpoint.
On top of this, despite being a well-established two-way centerpiece on a legitimate contending team (at least, when healthy), his rating is a mere one or two points higher than literal role players in Isaiah Hartenstein (81), D’Angelo Russell (81), and Austin Reaves (81).
Make it make sense, 2K!
Ja Morant: Just right
2K25 Rating: 93
Ja Morant finally seems to be regaining some of the respect and recognition that was seemingly forgotten about during his suspension and injury-riddled 2023-24 campaign.
Coming in with the 15-highest ranking in this year’s issue of NBA 2K, the point guard finds himself as one of only three players to receive a 93 overall rating, sharing the status with sensational Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell and the league’s reigning Finals MVP, Jaylen Brown.
When on the hardwood, few talents draw in as much attention and have as great of an impact on their team as Morant does.
Paving the way with his high-flying dunks and blink and you’ll miss him speed, throughout his five years of action the 25-year-old has has earned a ton of accolades for his production, such as a Rookie of the Year nod, a Most Improved Player award, two All-Star selections, and an All-NBA selection while simultaneously leading the Grizzlies to either a Play-In Tournament or playoff berth in every full season he’s played.
Prior to his gap year this past campaign, where he was limited to just nine games played, Morant was seen spearheading the charge toward a total of 107 wins from 2021-22 to 2022-23 while dropping sensational averages of 26.8 points, 7.4 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.1 steals on 47.9 percent shooting along the way.
A walking highlight reel and a legitimate contender for the moniker of best point guard in the NBA when healthy, having Ja be among the league’s elites in these 2K25 ratings should come as no surprise.
As the 2024-25 season comes underway, Grizzlies fans should only expect his number grade to increase as he partakes in his redemption run.
