LaMelo Ball is ready to jump into the top 25 of the NBA’s best players. ESPN’s latest top-100 list put him at 35, which feels a bit low for his raw talent. The gap between his current spot and where he should be is wide, and the move to Minnesota fixes the problems that held him back in Charlotte.
A Better Fit for Winning
The Timberwolves gave Ball exactly what he needed to prove he can win at a high level. He spent years carrying the Hornets alone without a true scorer to help him. Now, he pairs with Anthony Edwards, a superstar who can take the heat and elevate the offense. Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert also step in to cover his defensive gaps, letting him focus on running the show. This setup removes the heavy load he used to carry, making a top-25 finish look very possible.
Ball has the size and playmaking skills that very few players in the league possess. According to reports, his estimated offensive plus-minus placed him in the 99th percentile. That number shows he drives the offense better than almost anyone else. With Gobert protecting the rim and players like Jonathan Kuminga running the lanes, Ball can finally play to his strengths without worrying about the defense collapsing on him.
Beating Julius Randle
The trade also shows just how big of an upgrade Ball is over Julius Randle. Randle was the Wolves’ second option before, but he ranked 54th on ESPN’s list. Ball sits at 35, creating a 19-spot gap that proves the Wolves made the right call. You simply cannot win a championship with the 54th-best player as your number two guy. Ball offers a higher ceiling and a style that fits better with Edwards.
Randle often stopped the ball, while Ball is a true floor general who keeps the offense moving. Basketball Index data shows Ball was in the 97th percentile for overall gravity, supporting the stats. Randle sat at 83rd in that same category. Ball’s ability to score from the perimeter and pass makes him a far better partner for Ant-Man than the previous setup ever was.
The Hornets’ New Path
Charlotte lost their engine when Ball left, but they are betting on a group effort to fill the void. When Ball played with Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, the team posted a 130.3 offensive rating, the best for any trio that played at least 60 games. Without him, that rating plummeted to 110.6. The Hornets know no single player can replace him, so they are looking to Coby White and Miller to step up.
White brings a different kind of pressure, hitting 3-pointers and attacking the rim more than Ball did. Synergy Sports reports that 33% of White’s half-court shots were at the rim last season, versus just 18% for Ball. This shift might help them stay competitive even without their star point guard. The Hornets have a tough road ahead, but they have the pieces to try and build something new.
Ball is just 25 years old, so natural growth should happen anyway.
