Recently, ESPN released its annual top-100 list, and new Minnesota Timberwolves star LaMelo Ball ranked 35th. While ESPN's list shouldn't be treated as gospel, all things considered, this feels like a fair spot for LaMelo that's aligned with the current consensus. Talent-wise, he should be higher, but he's played in zero career playoff games, and he still has some real injury concerns.
What this really list got me thinking about is that Ball could be a consensus top-25 player by this time next year.
LaMelo Ball can prove he's a winning player with the Timberwolves
The Timberwolves can give LaMelo an ideal chance to prove that he can contribute to winning basketball. There are understandable concerns about Ball's injury history, shot selection, ability to adjust to the physicality of the playoffs, and defense.
While Ball shed some of these doubts with the Charlotte Hornets last season during their stellar end-of-season run, concerns remain. Obviously, there's a difference between a fun end-of-season run with some great advanced stats (including leading the Hornets to the league's best offensive rating in the 2026 portion of the year) and being a key part of a team that makes a deep playoff run.
Regardless, the Timberwolves offer Ball exactly what he needs to succeed, and this can help ensure his spot in the NBA's hierarchy improves. Plus, he's just 25, so some natural improvement should be expected.
Anthony Edwards gives him a superstar to complement and elevate. For years, LaMelo has been asked to carry a heavy load on a Hornets offense, with no high-end creator or scorer alongside him. While much of the talk has understandably been about how LaMelo will make Ant's life easier, the opposite is also true.
Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert can cover up for Ball's defensive deficiencies. Furthermore, LaMelo has thrived with centers like Gobert and Joan Beringer, big men who can protect the rim, crash the glass, and rim-run. McDaniels, Jonathan Kuminga, and Ayo Dosunmu give Ball a ton of athletic offensive threats. By all accounts, it's a perfect pairing.
Given how much success the Wolves have already had without a high-end playmaker like Ball, it's easy to believe they'll make a jump this season. If he proves that he can contribute to winning basketball, there will be no reason he won't be a top-25 player both on ESPN's list and in the consensus view.
How high can Ball rank next season?
I mentioned that Ball is more talented than the 35th player. Love him or hate him, there's no denying this.
Few players have the same combination of size, perimeter scoring, and playmaking that Ball possesses. Ranking in the 99th percentile for estimated offensive plus-minus per Dunks & Threes and the 97th percentile for overall offensive gravity per Basketball Index backs up the idea that Ball is an elite offensive player.
Still, it's fair to leave him outside the top 25 or 30, considering that we've never seen him on a winning team and his injury history. Again, though, that could all change with the Wolves.
Jamal Murray, who ranked 21st on ESPN's list, is one player I'll single out, given that he plays the same position as Ball does, and I think most viewers would consider him a top-25 level player.
Right now, Murray is the more proven player. He's an NBA champion and a proven elite No. 2 option. As such, most observers would acknowledge that he should be ranked higher than Ball.
In terms of who's more talented, though? The answer is LaMelo. He offers more size, more playmaking, and a similar level of self-creation juice. To this end, if Ball proves himself on a winning team, he could rank similarly to Murray, perhaps even higher.
All in all, this season gives LaMelo a clear chance to improve his standing in the NBA hierarchy both on ESPN's lists and in the minds of most observers.
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