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If Randle can replicate his numbers from the last time he was a primary scorer with the Knicks in 2023-24 (24.0 points per game), he could position himself to become just the second player — joining Michael Ray Richardson — to earn an All-Star Game nod with both the Nets and Knicks. “Whatever your expectations are, whatever expectations that are put upon us, we’re gonna exceed them and we’re gonna do things at a very high level,” Randle said Saturday at the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center while hosting a back-to-school basketball clinic for 80 kids. “We’re gonna build, come in with the right habits every single day, and we’re gonna do exactly that.”
This also marked a return to the city where Randle thrived for half a decade with the Knicks. There he was Saturday, cycling around the basketball courts, going through drills with the kids at his camp. There he was, posing for pictures and walking around in his clinic T-shirt. “It’s definitely a place that just feels like home,” Randle said, “and I’m happy to be back here.”
“I told him that like players like him, I love playing with because of how well he can space the floor,” Randle said of Porter. “He loves big shots, big moments, and, like, they always seem to know exactly like where to be. He does it at an extremely high level, so I’m excited.”
Julius Randle is stepping into a new but familiar role with the Brooklyn Nets this season. After spending the last four years as a lead option on playoff teams, Randle will attempt to lift the Nets out of the NBA’s basement in 2026-27. He’ll have an accomplished co-star, Michael Porter Jr., alongside him during that pursuit. Randle feels he and Porter can complement each other effectively as they lead Brooklyn’s offense. “It’s gonna be great,” the Nets trade acquisition told Gabriel Martins of his fit alongside Porter. “You know, we’re two completely different players, as far as like style of play. And I think we actually complement each other very well. I can do a lot with the ball off the dribble, creating. And he’s a great catch-and-shoot guy who can really space the floor. So I think we’ll complement each other very well.”
New York Basketball: Q: “You were one of the main players in the rebuild of the Knicks. Do you consider yourself a champion too? (In my opinion you should)” Julius Randle: “Ah no I appreciate that. What the organization accomplished is great. Been a long time coming. Took a lot of hard years, a lot of different players, to build it up to what it was. It’s amazing. Definitely look forward to creating that in Brooklyn“
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The Wolves have been looking for a prototypical power forward ever since trading Julius Randle and Naz Reid during a busy offseason that also brought LaMelo Ball to Minnesota. Multiple team sources, speaking under condition of anonymity to discuss the team’s private recruiting efforts, outlined the work done over the summer that helped the Timberwolves beat out other suitors for Kuminga’s services. Tim Connelly, Timberwolves president of basketball operations, had extended conversations with Kuminga and agent Aaron Turner throughout the summer, including flying to Miami for a face-to-face meeting with Kuminga, sources said.
“I think we all know what Julius can do as a player,” Marks said. “There's a chip on his shoulder. He's highly competitive. He plays the position of need for us. Downhill play, a forceful, impactful player. And then you look at what he does in the locker room for us when we have a younger group that is going to need some stability at times and some leadership both on and off the court. And Julius has won at a very, very high level. He understands where he is in his career… He's always had an impact on every team he's been on. And now coming back to Brooklyn, New York, where he's very familiar with, obviously, the borough and the city, this will be great for our group, great for our organization.”
Without control of their own pick, the Nets don’t intend for a third. That’s why they added a floor-raiser like Randle, who has a $35.8 million player option for next season. “They’re really excited to have me here. Jordi [Fernandez] is really excited. He feels like going into every game, we’ve got a chance to win every single game,” Randle said. “To have that confidence from your coach is amazing. … I get to come in and be a leader, show guys how to be a pro. “We’re coming in trying to win. It’s as simple as that. However we can help give the younger guys experience and confidence and help them fast-track or whatever it is to contribute to winning basketball, that’s really all that matters. All I care about, at the end of the day, is winning, and I know that’s what those guys care about. If I can help give them that experience, great.”
Brett Siegel: Trade details: Hornets: Naz Reid, Mouhamadou Gueye, MIN 2033 1st (unprotected), MIN 2028, 2029, 2030 1st SWAPS, MIN 2029, 2032, 2033 2nds Nets: Julius Randle, Joshua Jefferson (Pick No. 28) Timberwolves: LaMelo Ball, Josh Green, Isaiah Evans (Pick No. 33) Bulls: Nic Claxton
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Erik Slater: Mikel Brown Jr. on his vision for the Nets: “I was talking to Julius Randle about it the other day and he told me, ‘We’re gonna shock the world.’ That’s what we plan on doing.”
Keith Smith: Nets could still have around $40M in cap space to use in free agency, pending how they time out acquiring Julius Randle. The signing of Day'Ron Sharpe will come after Nets have used their cap space, either through the Room Exception or remaining cap space, similiar to last year.
