With various scoring outbursts and leadership throughout the season, Curry led an undermanned Warriors squad to an 8th seed record – which would have been good enough for the playoffs any other year – but the team was eliminated in the ‘Play-In’ tournament. 

Before we get into the predictions, let's take a look at some of the factors and formulas that 2K – and specifically the roster guru Mike Stauffer – use to determine player ratings in NBA 2K22 MT.
We've based all of this on how players have been rated by 2K in previous NBA 2K games, though there may be other factors that haven't been considered. Obviously, stats are important for player ratings — 2K dynamically adjusts and updates player ratings throughout the season and after, primarily based on basic and advanced stats, as well as player performance per skill. 

The accumulation of attributes that a player is skilled at is important, and this includes defense. So, in general, 2-way players, as well as all-around players (such as LeBron James), will perform better than one-dimensional players in terms of 2K MT. Another consideration is the player's history and reputation. A superstar may have an off-year or a "down year," but if past ratings in NBA 2K games are any indication, ratings tend to take into account the player's overall body of work. Having said that, if a low-rated player has a breakout year, his rating can skyrocket as well. In relation to a player's position, attributes have a greater impact. 

For example, a Center with strong rebounding and inside defense attributes will have a greater impact on his overall rating than a Center with strong perimeter defense attributes. Performance in the Playoffs2K Sports is always keeping an eye on how players are performing in the NBA, and the NBA playoffs are no exception. The way a player performs during the playoffs may have an impact on his player rating for the next upcoming game.

NBA 2K22 Player Rating Predictions: GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO – 98 OVR 2K21 Rating = 96 OVR Difference = +2 On the big stage in the 2021 NBA Finals, fans witnessed Giannis' historic and game-clinching 50-point performance in the Bucks' Game 6 Finals victory.

Antetokounmpo's absolute dominance throughout the series was a defining feature of the series. With Giannis' overall playoff performance, grit, and him stepping up his game (on both sides of the court) when it mattered the most, we believe he has earned a +2 point increase to 98 OVR, which would place him as the top player in NBA 2K22.

LEBRON JAMES – 97 OVR 2K21 Rating = 97 OVR Difference = None James only played in 45 regular season games due to injury and was not considered for the MVP award.

In the playoffs, he had an underwhelming performance (for him), averaging only 23 points per game on 47% shooting. All of these factors could result in LeBron's rating remaining unchanged in NBA 2K22, or it could be in danger of dropping to a 96 OVR or lower. LeBron is still one of the best players in the world, he just isn't the best player in the world anymore.

STEPH CURRY – 95 OVR 2K21 Rating = 95 OVR Difference = None

Curry, who finished third in the MVP voting, should see his already-impressive rating of 97 continue to rise.

The fact that Doncic was named the NBA 2K22 Cover Athlete, that he averaged 29 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds per game, and that he finished 5th in the MVP 2021 voting should be enough to raise his overall rating a couple points to 96 OVR.

NIKOLA JOKIC – 97 OVR 2K21 Rating = 96 OVR Difference = +1 The best passing center of all-time has just won his first NBA MVP award, averaging around 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists on 56.6% shooting while also leading the league in PER (Player Efficiency Rating).

That should be sufficient to propel The Joker to the very top echelon of the top-rated players in NBA 2K22.

KEVIN DURANT – 96 OVR 2K21 Rating = 96 OVR Difference = None Durant was a standout performer for the Brooklyn Nets during the playoffs, but injuries to Kyrie Irving and James Harden ultimately doomed the team's championship hopes.

The Brooklyn Nets were defeated in the Eastern Conference Semifinals by the eventual NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks in seven games. KD is currently competing for TEAM USA at the Tokyo Olympics, and we do not expect his overall rating to change.

KAWHI LEONARD – 96 OVR 2K21 Rating = 96 OVR Difference = None The consistent Kawhi Leonard did not do enough to raise or lower his NBA 2K rating, so we see him maintaining his 96 OVR.

It also helps that he scored 48 points in his Olympic debut. 

NBA 2K player ratings are released every year, and the upcoming NBA 2K22 game should follow in the footsteps of previous years. Will we see a new number one overall player? Is LeBron James still the best player on the planet? Continue reading to see our NBA 2K22 player rating predictions for the league's top players.