Julius Randle Promises Nets Will Exceed Expectations

Crane notes that expectations are low for the Nets, who are coming off a 20-62 season and have an over/under of 24.5 wins on BetMGM. With seven first-round picks on the roster from the last two drafts, the team is obviously focusing more on the future than any immediate success. But Randle, who was part of back-to-back playoff appearances with the Timberwolves, is determined to change that outlook.

“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 his youth basketball camp in Brooklyn. “We’re gonna build, come in with the right habits every single day, and we’re gonna do exactly that.” 

The addition of Randle, a bruising low-post presence and an able three-point shooter, provides the Nets with another veteran scorer to team with Michael Porter Jr. Randle has also been durable for most of his career, appearing in 79 games last season while averaging 21.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 33 minutes per night.

He’s looking forward to teaming up with Porter, who’s coming off a career-best season in his first year in Brooklyn. Randle said he has spoken to Porter frequently since the trade and believes they “really complement each other.”

“I told him that players like him, I love playing with because of how well he can space the floor,” Randle said. “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.” 

Randle also enjoys being back in New York, where he spent five seasons with the Knicks before being traded in 2024. He was a three-time All-Star with his now cross-town rivals and helped spark a revival that ultimately led to the 2026 title.

With a $35.8MM player option for next summer, it’s possible that Randle’s time in Brooklyn will be short. He said he’s not concerned about his next contract right now, and he’s trying to avoid trade rumors as well. He’s keeping his focus on helping the Nets and trying to accomplish the rare feat of succeeding with two teams in the same city.

“(Coming back) was like, actually, kinda refreshing because it was like I lived here for five years but it felt like a fresh start,” Randle said. “And I was kinda like a newbie again.”