Delonte West appears to be making his return to the NBA 2K series.
West shared a message indicating that 2K has officially added him to NBA 2K27, bringing the former NBA guard back into the game after years away from the franchise. His inclusion had already been noticed by members of the 2K community, with West appearing among a group of former players newly added to the game’s historical rosters.
According to the message West posted, the process will also include compensation for the use of his likeness. The communication said 2K plans to contact him again in January 2027 to collect his direct-deposit and W-9 information, with royalty payments scheduled to begin in March 2027.
Delonte West shared a message saying NBA 2K has officially added him to NBA 2K27.
2K plans to reach back out in January 2027 for his direct deposit and W9 information, with royalty payments set to begin in March 2027.
Really cool to see 🙏 pic.twitter.com/b48JxpU2MU
— NBARetweet (@RTNBA) September 12, 2026
West played eight NBA seasons between 2004 and 2012, spending time with the Boston Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks. He became particularly well known during his years in Cleveland, where he was an important part of several playoff teams alongside LeBron James.
His basketball career has remained part of the NBA conversation long after his final game, and his return to 2K gives fans another way to revisit that period of the league.
NBA 2K27 has brought back a number of former players who had been missing from recent editions, including names such as Anthony Mason, Mookie Blaylock, Josh Howard and David Lee. West is among that group, reflecting 2K’s continued effort to deepen the historical player pool available across its classic and era-based modes.
West’s inclusion also carries added significance because of the difficult years that followed his playing career. He has publicly spoken about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, while reports over the years have documented struggles with substance abuse, financial instability and periods of homelessness. In 2020, concern around West intensified after images showed him panhandling near a Dallas highway, prompting Mavericks owner Mark Cuban to personally pick him up and help arrange rehabilitation treatment. His post-NBA struggles have made any positive development involving West resonate well beyond basketball.
