The much-awaited NBA 2k25 is all set to be released this Friday, and fans have noticed that Blake Griffin is missing from the game, along with the likes of Andre Iguodala, Serge Ibaka, and John Wall.
Blake Griffin Is Missing From NBA 2k25
For the unversed, Blake Griffin bid goodbye to the game on April 16th after a 14-year NBA career. Since he is no longer an active player, NBA 2k doesn’t have the right to include him in its latest launch. The same rule also goes for the other retired players.
Though, the Boston Celtics offered him an opportunity to return for another stint with the team, he declined. Speaking on the “Pardon My Take” podcast, Griffin revealed:
“I bear in mind the stop of December hit, and I called Brad Stevens, and I used to be like, ‘Man, I honestly admire it.’ I simply wasn’t there, guy. something modified, and that I knew while something modified like that was time to be completed.”
Griffin didn’t reveal much details about why he declined the offer but he mentioned that if he had been determined to continue his NBA career, then his top choice would have been Boston.
Besides Blake Griffin, a few notable names are also missing from NBA 2k25. Not many NBA 2K players will miss Nerlens Noel, Rodney McGruder, Meyers Leonard, or Will Barton, as their careers haven’t been as notable as the top names on this list.
John Wall, a fan-favorite for his role as a throwback player on the 2012 Washington Wizards, won’t appear in NBA 2K25. Last season, he was a 78 overall free agent, but he’s absent this year.
Andre Iguodala, a key player in the Warriors’ dynasty and former Finals MVP, won’t feature either, impacting the classic Warriors teams.
Serge Ibaka’s removal affects the 2011-12 OKC Thunder team, which featured Durant, Westbrook, and Harden. Though he played in NBA 2K24, he’s not in the new game.
Typically, retired players or those no longer with the NBA Players’ Union may not be included for a year or more. Their return in future games like NBA 2K26 is possible but not guaranteed.
Here’s the full list of players removed from NBA 2K25:
– John Wall
– Blake Griffin
– Andre Iguodala
– Goran Dragic
– Serge Ibaka
– Meyers Leonard
– Will Barton
– Noah Vonleh
– Dewayne Dedmon
– Frank Kaminsky
– Rodney McGruder
– JaMychal Green
– Nerlens Noel
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