Julius Randle Eyes Championship Mentality for Nets After Knicks Title

Julius Randle is embracing a new chapter with the Brooklyn Nets, bringing a championship mentality forged during his tenure with the New York Knicks. Randle, who spent five seasons with the Knicks and was instrumental in their rise from a rebuilding team to championship contenders, expressed his happiness for his former teammates and the city after they clinched a title.

"I’m happy [for the Knicks], man," Randle said. "I kept in touch with guys. I’ve had a lot of great moments here in the city. I spent five years here, my family has grown here; so I was extremely excited, happy for those guys. A lot went into that; it’s not just myself, years before me."

Randle recalled a recent trip to Brazil with OG Anunoby, highlighting the continued camaraderie. "So, just happy for those guys. I was just last month on a trip with OG [Anunoby] in Brazil, just kicking it, talking with each other. So it was a great thing, not just for them, for the organization, [but] for the city that has craved that — we know how New York is — so has craved that winning formula, winning environment. And we plan to do the same thing here."

Arriving at the Knicks in 2019, Randle joined a team that had been at the league's lowest point. Over his tenure, he was a catalyst for their resurgence, earning an All-Star selection and leading them back to the playoffs. However, his time in New York concluded before the championship, and his subsequent stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves also ended with a trade.

Despite a challenging end to his time in Minnesota, Randle is now focused on his role with the Nets. Head coach Jordi Fernandez views Randle as a crucial veteran presence for the young Brooklyn squad. "Everything [I’d] heard was not good but great, as a person, family man, worker, ultimate pro, about the right things," Fernandez said. "He’s been in eight playoff rounds, [three]-time All-Star.

"He’s going to impact what we’re trying to do here. … He’s coming here to get better, to lead by example. So, very happy before when we were trying to get him — and now that I’ve got [him], I couldn’t be happier."

Randle, now 31, acknowledges his veteran status, joking that he's reached "Unc status." He is prepared to mentor the league's youngest team and share his experiences, including playing alongside Kobe Bryant, with his new teammates.

"I love to be coached, and there’s different ways he’ll challenge me in parts of the game, whether it’s my rebounding or if it’s running the floor or if it’s being better on defense," Randle said. "I’m not afraid to be coached, and whatever he needs to do, you should coach your best players the hardest.

"If he needs something from me, he’ll call me. So it’s a great relationship. But communication is key, and trust. So he’s been great at building that with me, and I trust him fully; so it’s been good."