NBA 2K27, the latest installment in the popular video game franchise, is scheduled to be released on Sept. 4, with some people getting early access starting on Aug. 28. With a few weeks to go before it becomes available, some of its player ratings are being leaked.
Walker Kessler, the Lakers' new starting center, is considered an elite shot-blocker and rebounder, and he should considerably help the team in both categories right away. In NBA 2K27, he is rated as the ninth-best shot blocker with a rating of 93 in that category. San Antonio Spurs superstar center Victor Wembanyama is first in that department with a 99 rating.
Rejection after rejection 🚫
— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) August 6, 2026
The Top 10 shot swatters in NBA 2K27 pic.twitter.com/B3fSepWjPC
Overall, however, Kessler only
has an overall rating of 81, which ranks 100th overall among all players.
Let’s get it going with the NBA 2K27 Top 100 📈
— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) August 11, 2026
Which names stand out to you? 👀 pic.twitter.com/MkLtpSH9wA
A few fans on X (formerly Twitter) felt Kessler should have been rated a bit higher.
The Walker Kessler disrespect is laughable. He averages the most blocks in the NBA since being drafted
— . (@DTBxss) August 11, 2026
Granted he only played 5 games but he looked like an easy top 5 center in basketball last year averaging
14 pts
11 rebounds
3 assists
1 stl
2 blks
And shooting
70%
75%
Some of these ratings are just hurtful, especially for Walker Kessler
— J.L.C. (@JoeSeppiCorbet) August 11, 2026
Walker Kessler being an 83 is wild lol. You’re going to have to put in little more work later 2k when you bump him up to 87.
— Digital Metronome ENT (@DMetronomeENT) August 11, 2026
Kessler behind Buzelis Sad dawg
— James Youbi (@JamesYoubikwg) August 11, 2026
Kessler is at least 86
The 25-year-old has career averages of 9.5 points on 68.1% shooting, 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 25.3 minutes a game. He has never been a big offensive threat other than converting on lob passes and offensive rebounds grabbed near the rim, but in the five games he played last season, he showed very early signs of adding a 3-point shot by hitting six of eight attempts from that range.
Los Angeles acquired him in a sign-and-trade deal by sending the Utah Jazz two future first-round picks and two pick swaps. It signed Kessler to a four-year, $130 million contract, and while some national pundits said L.A. gave up too much to get him, it was a move it had to make, as well as one that should have a very positive impact.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: How does NBA 2K27 rate new Lakers center Walker Kessler?
