Julius Randle feels wanted by Nets, says he’s not there to lose

Going from a contender in Minnesota to a rebuilding team in Brooklyn might not sound like much of a reward. Julius Randle sees it differently.

The veteran forward said he’s happy to be back in New York and, more than anything, happy to feel wanted. That has made his move to the Nets easier to embrace, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post.

“But when you’re somewhere where you’re really wanted, and you have that validation with an organization really appreciating you and what you bring to the table, it’s an incredible feeling,” Randle said.

Now with his fifth team in 13 years, Randle said Brooklyn’s support has eased the anxiety and pressure that can come with changing teams.

“I damn near get goose bumps just thinking about it, because the support has been amazing,” he said. “I’m loving every part of it. I appreciate them just as much as they appreciate me.”

Per Lewis, Randle didn’t want to leave the Knicks when they traded him in 2024. He’s enjoying his return to the city and working with Nets coach Jordi Fernandez.

He also isn’t buying the idea that Brooklyn should settle in near the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

“I’m not here to lose. I don’t think anybody’s here to lose this year,” Randle said. “We definitely want to be a team that goes out there and competes every single night. We’re playing to win.”

Whether the Nets have enough to make that happen is another question. But Randle sounds comfortable with his new team, and he certainly isn’t treating it as a place to ride out his career