Timberwolves Newcomer Julius Randle: ‘I Do Want To Be Here’

Power forward Julius Randle is officially a member of the Timberwolves after the Karl-Anthony Towns trade with the Knicks. Randle arrived with guard Donte DiVincenzo, forward Keita Bates-Diop and a first-round pick.

Randle can also become a free agent at the end of the season, barring a contract extension. But he told reporters his familiarity with Minnesota has him feeling as if he’d like to stay.

“You want to be somewhere where you feel wanted,” Randle told reporters, via Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. “I feel wanted here and everybody has embraced me. (Timberwolves head of basketball operations Tim Connelly) has been great. I played for (coach Chris Finch). I really believe in Finch. Ultimately, yeah, I do want to be here.”

There were rumors of some chemistry concerns with Randle and the Knicks. Still, New York reportedly never reached a consensus in its decision to trade Randle.

Randle will make $28.9 million this season. He can become a free agent next offseason.

A Kentucky product, Randle is eligible to sign an extension. Minnesota can offer the All-Star a contract as big as $181.5 million over four years. 

Randle, 29, appeared in 46 games in 2023-24, averaging 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.3 blocks while shooting 47.2% from the floor and 31.1% on 3-pointers. 

He signed with the Knicks in the offseason of 2019 after playing for the Pelicans during the 2018-19 season. He averaged 22.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocks for New York.

The Knicks signed Randle to a four-year, $117 million extension in August 2021, right after he won the Most Improved Player of the Year Award.

A three-time All-Star, Randle has career averages of 19.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Lakers, Pelicans and Knicks. He was the seventh overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Lakers.

(Ashish Mathur contributed to this report.)