Playing as a favorite team in NBA 2K25 may require more nuance than players may have originally planned. The game is missing multiple fan favorites, such as Blake Griffin, John Wall, and Andre Iguodala, among several others. This absence led to backlash and questioning why these players were no longer an option for the game, but the answer is relatively straightforward.

NBA 2K’s removal of specific players is a practical move, not a personal one. These players are missing because the company simply lost the rights to use their likenesses in the game. These absent players have retired from the NBA, and so the rules have changed regarding using their images.

He Shoots, He Retires, He Disappears From NBA 2K

Retired Players' Liknesses Are No Longer Licensed By The Players Association

Athletes retiring is standard in the sports world but often not considered in the gaming world. Blake Griffin, for example, retired from the NBA in April 2024. In 2023, Goran Dragic and Andre Iguodala retired after almost 20 years in the NBA. Because of these long-spanning careers and respect within the sports world, their absence is felt in NBA 2K25. However, the fact that they are missing has to do with the fact that they, or the NBA Retired Players Association, were the ones to make the call to be removed.

When a player retires, NBA 2K has to ask permission to get their likeness. According to 2KRatings, the retired player has either declined their likeness being reused, or the National Basketball Retired Players Association has made that call. NBA 2K ultimately must cut players who no longer want to be in the game, even if it initially appears to be a misstep to remove them.

There Are Still Plenty of Improvements With NBA 2K25

Gameplay Advancements

While some familiar faces are missing, the extended to the women's game in FIFA 23. They have also included brand-new offensive plays, improved visuals, and better utilization of AI. NBA 2K25 is a truly immersive experience meant for fans not only of gaming but of the sport itself.

It's also possible that 2K simply didn't pursue the likenesses of many retired NBA players, though this is unlikely for some of the bigger stars, since Charles Barkley and Reggie Miller were notable inclusions in previous iterations.

While there are missing players who are fan favorites, their absence was a choice made either by these retired players or on their behalf. As players retire or move on from the NBA, there is the potential they could be missing from games, yet that doesn’t ultimately take away from NBA 2K games as a whole. These players are missed, but the gameplay in NBA 2K25 seems to be drastically upgraded and may set the standard for sports gaming.

Sources: 2KRatings, NBA 2K