Walker Kessler headlines 3 Lakers NBA 2K27 player ratings that will definitely need major update this season

NBA 2K27’s global release means that there is only a little over a month to go before the 2026-27 NBA regular season begins. The latest installment of the basketball simulation game franchise reflects where teams stand prior to the start of the new campaign, and player ratings are somewhat of an indication as to how strong teams are heading into the new season. For the Los Angeles Lakers, the player ratings make it seem as though they downgraded heavily from last season.

In the final player ratings on NBA 2K26, the Lakers had two 90-overall players in Luka Doncic (97) and LeBron James (92), with three other players being in the 80s in Austin Reaves (87), Rui Hachimura (81), and Marcus Smart (80). They had a few others in the high-70s in Deandre Ayton (79), Jaxson Hayes (79), and Luke Kennard (78).

However, the Lakers overhauled the roster and let six of the players mentioned above (James, Hachimura, Smart, Ayton, Hayes, and Kennard) leave either via free agency or trade.

2K wasn’t very kind in the ratings they gave the Lakers’ new signings heading into the new game cycle. But with Doncic being at the controls, their new players should be more productive than most expect — leading to some inevitable rating bumps down the line.

Here are three Lakers players in particular who should get huge boosts once the season begins.

Walker Kessler (81 overall)

It was no secret whatsoever that the Los Angeles Lakers were looking for an upgrade at the center position. Ayton was solid stopgap option for the Lakers considering their salary cap constraints last year, but Ayton had stagnated as a player, and he’s no longer the kind of two-way force who can anchor a defense with Doncic at point guard.

Thus, the Lakers signed and traded for Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz, which cost them a ton of assets. LA forked over two unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 as well as swaps in 2028 and 2030, just to get the deal with the Jazz over the line.

This was a huge gamble from the Lakers, as Kessler played in only five games last season after suffering a torn labrum which required season-ending surgery. And 2K appears to have forgotten about Kessler considering that they gave him a rating downgrade from his final NBA 2K26 overall.

He ended the NBA 2K26 game cycle with an overall rating of 83. It boggles the mind as to how he can be an 81 overall to start things off in NBA 2K27, as per 2Kratings.com. Did he even do anything that warranted a ratings adjustment when he hasn’t played in nearly a year?

When looking into his ratings in detail, nothing stands out as being particularly egregious. Giving him a 70 three-ball might even be too generous; he may have shot 75% from three last season, but that was only on eight attempts through five games. Prior to last year, he was 11-56 from deep (19.6%).

Nonetheless, playing alongside Doncic is going to raise Kessler’s game to new heights. Kessler has much safer hands than Ayton does, his motor is much more consistent, and the Lakers star is going to love running pick-and-rolls with his new running mate.

It seems like NBA 2K has quickly forgotten about how much easier Doncic makes life for big men like Kessler. When he was with the Dallas Mavericks, Doncic made Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford look like a million bucks over and over again. While Kessler is not the lob threat those two are, his sheer size and diligence in running the rim in pick-and-roll situations is going to make him look like one of the best big men in the NBA.

It will be a huge travesty for Kessler to not receive a bump back up to 83 or even to 85 once he establishes himself as an incredible partner for Doncic.

Sandro Mamukelashvili (76 overall)

Mamukelashvili signed a four-year, $52 million contract in free agency in one of the biggest surprises of the offseason. He did have a strong season for the Toronto Raptors and ended the NBA 2K26 cycle with a rating of 79. It does look like 2K is deflating ratings to start the new game cycle, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise whatsoever if Mamukelashvili breaks through into the 80s in the middle of next season.

His question marks come on the defensive end. But NBA 2K has penalized the Georgian international enough for his defensive shortcomings. (57 rating on defense courtesy of horrid marks in defensive consistency, perimeter defense, and pass perception.)

Mamukelashvili is going to have so much space to operate, and with two high-caliber floor generals setting the table, he is going to have a ton of daylight to do damage. NBA 2K loves it when players increase their scoring output without sacrificing efficiency, and circumstances are lining up for Mamukelashvili to do just that for the Lakers.

Ziaire Williams (75 overall)

For as much as the Lakers have overhauled their roster this offseason, they remain very thin on the wings. This led them to an inevitable flier on Ziaire Williams in free agency. Williams is coming off a season in which he put up 10.2 points in 56 games for the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets, although he shot just 34.3 percent from deep.

Williams has all the makings of a 3-and-D player. But he has not established himself as a high-level defender nor shooter. He lost favor when he was with the Memphis Grizzlies, and his stint with the Nets is not the fairest assessment of how impactful he can be for a winning team.

But the Lakers badly need a player of Williams’ archetype that it’s not difficult to see him endearing himself to head coach JJ Redick. Williams is going to play with the best playmakers he’s ever shared a court with in the NBA, and at 6-foot-9, the Lakers need his size and strength on the wing to contain opposing wing players.

There is even a chance that, with a strong training camp, Williams ends up being a starter to help cover for the team’s defensive weaknesses.

Jake LaRavia looked like a deer in the headlights during the 2026 NBA playoffs. Mamukelashvili being in the starting lineup may prove to be one too many defensive liabilities for the Lakers. Matisse Thybulle’s health is a huge question mark.

And with the spotlight Williams will have on him in Los Angeles, NBA 2K could bump him up to a 78 or even an 80 if he impresses as a starter.

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