LaMelo Ball will solve a lot of problems for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Anthony Edwards finally has a high-end backcourt partner who can take the pressure off him as a playmaker and scorer.
Even if you aren't a fan of his game, this much is hard to argue. Beyond this, though, what's getting overlooked is that LaMelo is one of the best offensive players in the league. Full stop.
Does LaMelo have injury concerns? Yes, absolutely. Does his shot selection need to improve even after a promising season last year? Most certainly. However, few players have the same blend of playmaking, 3-point shooting, size (6-foot-7) and overall shot creation that Ball does.
Based on both the eye test and advanced numbers, Ball is one of the most talented and impactful offensive players in the league.
With the Charlotte Hornets not being in the national limelight much, just how good of an offensive player LaMelo is has been overlooked. Given that the Timberwolves are true contenders, though, people will soon realize just how impactful Ball is, and detractors of this trade (and his game) will soon be forced to eat crow.
LaMelo Ball is a truly elite offensive player
This past season, the Hornets were 11.6 points per 100 possessions better with Ball on the court, a number that ranks in the 99th percentile per Cleaning the Glass. Another way to look at this is that the Hornets had a 125 offensive rating with Ball on the court, which translates to the best mark in the league.
In each of the past four seasons, LaMelo ranked in the 85th percentile for net on/off offensive difference. On a more talented team, it's unclear if these on/off numbers will remain so stark. Nevertheless, the past several seasons clearly outline that he is a stellar driver of offense, and yes, while his teams haven't won at a high level, this shows that he is a driver of winning basketball.
Ball also ranked third in estimated plus-minus this season, per Dunks & Threes. For the 2026 portion of the season, Charlotte had the league's best offensive rating and the league's second-best net rating, in large part due to Ball.
Simply put, the numbers reflect that LaMelo is easily one of the most effective offensive engines in the league. Pairing this type of player with Ant-Man is a match made in heaven.
What gets overlooked with Ball (and why his advanced numbers pop so much) is his playmaking. LaMelo is constantly looking for open teammates on drives, fast breaks and simply setting up the offense like a classic point guard. His playmaking helps elevate everybody around him.
Ball's gravity as a shooter and overall scorer further helps open up opportunities for his teammates.
Again, Ball isn't a perfect player even on offense, and yes, his decision-making needs to be ironed out. However, few players offer the same level of difficult shot-making and 3-point shooting that Ball does. This past season, he ranked second in total made 3-pointers and third in made 3s per game.
It's worth noting that Edwards ranked sixth in made 3s per game this past season and first in total 3s in the 2024-25 season.
Whether it's spotting up or creating for himself, LaMelo can make it rain from beyond the arc. As noted, it's this combination of shooting and playmaking that makes Ball such an impactful and talented offensive player.
Edwards' elite three-level scoring makes him one of the most skilled offensive players in the league. Likewise, this allows him to be an offensive engine despite not being a high-level playmaker.
The Wolves' backcourt now has two offensive engine-level players with skill sets that perfectly complement each other. Given what Ant and the Timberwolves have already accomplished, the expectations should be sky-high about what level the team can reach with an elite offensive guard alongside Edwards.
Overall, with LaMelo playing in a winning situation for the first time in his career, folks will quickly realize just how impactful and valuable he is.
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