The Brooklyn Nets just picked up Julius Randle in a trade that was mostly the Timberwolves trying to clear salary. And the initial reaction from fans? A lot of shrugs. But Randle’s camp is already making it clear he’s not looking for the exit.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, league sources say Randle is genuinely excited about the move and wants to be in Brooklyn. That’s not just PR fluff either. The guy has history with this city.
Before he got shipped to Minnesota in the Karl-Anthony Towns deal, Randle was the engine that dragged the Knicks out of the gutter. He showed up in New York during a full rebuild and turned himself into a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA forward. He helped the Knicks make consecutive Eastern Conference Semifinals appearances. That wasn’t supposed to happen in the early stages of that rebuild.
So yeah, he knows how to handle a messy situation.
Randle’s game can be frustrating. His playoff numbers have dipped, and his iso-heavy style drives some people crazy. But he’s still a power forward who can create his own shot, play solid defense, and he’s clearly comfortable being the guy in a rebuilding locker room in New York. That’s not nothing.
The Nets are sitting on the No. 6 pick in the NBA Draft, which happens Tuesday night at 8 pm ET at Barclays Center. So Randle will be joining a team that’s about to add a young, high-upside piece to the mix. The exact player is still a question mark, but the path is similar to what he walked with the Knicks. Step one: show up. Step two: work. Step three: see what happens.
Randle pulled off that trick once before. He and the Nets are betting he can do it again.
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