Julius Randle, after five eventful seasons with the New York Knicks, was surprised by his sudden trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The power forward expressed both shock and excitement about the move, noting that he had invested a great deal of “blood, sweat, and tears” into his time with the Knicks.
However, after the initial surprise wore off, Randle felt relieved and energized by his new situation. He emphasized the importance of feeling wanted by a team and said that the Timberwolves made him feel embraced and appreciated from the start.
The trade came just days after Randle was honored by the Knicks at a South Bronx high school groundbreaking, which made the news even more unexpected. Some within the Knicks organization had doubts about his fit alongside Jalen Brunson, and with Randle eligible for an extension that was not forthcoming, the team decided to move on.
Randle was traded along with Donte DiVincenzo in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns. Reflecting on his time in New York, Randle admitted that it was emotional to leave but quickly shifted his mindset to embrace his new opportunity with Minnesota.
One of the most exciting aspects of the trade for Randle is reuniting with Timberwolves coach Chris Finch, who had previously coached him as an assistant in New Orleans. Randle praised Finch for making the game easier for him and credited him with helping him become a more versatile player.
He expressed admiration for Finch’s coaching abilities, saying that no other coach, including Tom Thibodeau, had simplified the game for him the way Finch had. Randle is looking forward to working with Finch again, believing that he can help him take his game to new heights.
Despite the emotional roller-coaster of the trade, Randle is in good physical shape and said that his surgically repaired shoulder is fully healed. He is also heading toward free agency in the summer but expressed a desire to stay with Minnesota, where he feels welcomed and valued.
DiVincenzo, who played just one season with the Knicks but quickly became a fan favorite, also shared his thoughts on the trade. Though he had hoped to remain in New York, he has since embraced the move and is excited about the opportunity to join the Timberwolves.
In New York, the Knicks are adjusting to their new roster with Precious Achiuwa emerging as a key player. Achiuwa believes that the Knicks’ defense, featuring players like OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart, has the potential to become a formidable unit.
However, the team faces challenges in rim protection following the departure of Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein. Achiuwa, who filled in as a frontcourt player last season and set a career-high in blocks, is expected to step up defensively as the Knicks aim to maintain their competitiveness in the league.
