NBA 2K21 Updated Player Ratings Revealed, Starting With LeBron And The Lakers

2K has unveiled the first batch of updated player ratings for NBA 2K21. And as is appropriate for how the season turned out, this starts with members of the NBA Champions, the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as other top performers from this year's unusual, pandemic-impacted playoffs.

This first group is headlined by LeBron James, who comes in at a whopping 98, making him the top-rated player in 2K21. That might be thanks in part to winning yet another NBA Finals MVP, but whatever the case, it gives him a clear edge over his teammate, Anthony Davis, who will have a 96 rating. The regular season MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, comes in at a 97, apparently not being heavily impacted by the Bucks' underperformance in the post-season. Despite his young age, Dallas' Luka Dončić isn't far behind these big names, earning himself a 94 rating.

Other members of the Lakers to receive new ratings so far include Danny Green (76), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (76), and Alex Caruso (75). Their opponent in the NBA Finals, the Miami Heat, have seen Jimmy Butler come in at a 93, which is unsurprising given how well he played in the playoffs.

Another breakout player from the playoffs, Denver's Jamal Murray, jumps to an 87, which is a great rating and yet somehow feels low after that stretch in the Utah series where it seemed like he couldn't miss. That ties him with one Jazz opponent, Rudy Gobert, but puts him a point behind his more direct opposite, Donovan Mitchell, who will be an 88.

More ratings will continue to be shared on the NBA 2K Twitter account throughout the day. You can see a roundup of all the confirmed ratings below so far. These will be reflected in both the current-gen versions of 2K21 as well as the upcoming PS5 and Xbox Series X/Series S versions. Those next-gen versions will come at a premium, costing $70 unless you opt to buy the even pricier Mamba Forever edition that goes for $100 and includes access to both current- and next-gen versions.

Updated NBA 2K21 Player Ratings

• LeBron James -- 98
• Giannis Antetokounmpo -- 97
• Anthony Davis -- 96
• Luka Dončić -- 94
• Jimmy Butler -- 93
• Jayson Tatum -- 90
• Donovan Mitchell -- 88
• Devin Booker -- 88
• Rudy Gobert -- 87
• Jamal Murray -- 87
• Kemba Walker -- 86
• Jaylen Brown -- 86
• Danny Green -- 76
• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope -- 76
• Alex Caruso -- 75

NBA 2K21 has received some negative press recently as the game was briefly home to an unskippable ad--something many felt had no place in a $60 game. 2K apologized and explained the ad didn't function as intended, though it doesn't sound as if ads will be going away altogether. For more on the game itself, check out our NBA 2K21 review.