The Minnesota Timberwolves got Anthony Edwards a true second option by trading for LaMelo Ball this offseason. In the process, they parted ways with Julius Randle, Naz Reid, and several future draft picks (most of which were protected). From both a talent and fit standpoint, Ball is a massive upgrade over Randle. This much has long been clear, but ESPN's recent top 100 ranking underscores just how much of an upgrade Ball will be.
While ESPN's yearly top 100 ranking is far from a perfect measure of where players stand, Randle ranked 54th and Ball ranked 35th. That 19-spot gap is significant, and it feels fair to me.
You simply can't win a championship with the league's 54th-best player as your second option. The 35th player, though? That's certainly a possibility, and this ranking might be low after this season.
By all accounts, Ball is a higher-end second option than Randle, and he should be a game-changer for the Wolves. But let's explore the areas where Ball separates himself from Randle and why he's a better fit alongside Ant-Man.
LaMelo Ball is a much better second option than Julius Randle
LaMelo is one of the most talented second options in the league.
Last year, he was the engine of a Charlotte Hornets team that ranked first in offensive rating since the turn of the calendar. Charlotte was an absurd 11.6 points per 100 possessions better with Ball on the court, per Cleaning the Glass. Furthermore, Ball ranked in the 99th percentile for estimated offensive plus-minus, according to Dunks and Threes. His stellar advanced numbers don't stop there—last season, Ball ranked in the 97th percentile for overall gravity, per Basketball Index.
Between Ball's stellar advanced stats and his elite blend of perimeter scoring and playmaking, there's no denying he is one of the league's most talented offensive players.
With all due respect, the same can't be said for Randle. That's not to say he's a bad player by any means, but he's a clear notch below Ball. Randle ranked in the 83rd percentile for overall gravity and the 82nd percentile for estimated offensive plus-minus.
In terms of fit, LaMelo's ability to play on or off the ball due to his elite playmaking and shooting also makes him a better fit alongside Ant than Randle. LaMelo is a true floor general and ball mover—something the Wolves have long lacked.
Randle, on the other hand, is a ball stopper who doesn't thrive without the ball due to his poor shooting and heliocentric style. Even on the ball, he's not a consistent enough one-on-one scorer to justify being a championship-level second option.
Look, it's fair to be concerned about how Ball holds up given his injury history and that he's never played in the playoffs. From a talent standpoint, though, he's a high-end second option and a picture-perfect fit alongside Edwards.
Every superstar needs a dependable running mate whose game fits alongside him, and LaMelo gives Ant just that. Considering the Wolves were already successful with a highly flawed No. 2 in Randle, just imagine what they could look like with Ball.
And if Ball proves himself in a winning situation, ESPN's ranking of 35 will feel low. In any event, it should be clear that the Timberwolves found a better co-star alongside Edwards this season, which could be a difference-maker for Minnesota's title hopes.
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