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What could have been never will be and Julius Randle said he’s ready to move on. Randle, of course, appeared back in New York for an NBA preseason game between the Knicks and Timberwolves, Randle’s new team.
He didn’t play in the game as he’s still recovering from a shoulder injury.
“It’s finished now,” Randle said, via Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “I got unfinished business where I’m at.”
Randle was instrumental in the Knicks’ resurgence, including a 14-2 stretch last January when the team seemed poised for another deep playoff push. But the dislocated shoulder derailed his season, and a summer trade sent shockwaves through New York when Randle was moved to Minnesota in an unexpected deal for Karl-Anthony Towns.
Now, instead of looking back, Randle said he’s eager to prove his worth with the Timberwolves, where he believes the next chapter of his career will bring even more success.
For Randle, it’s no longer about what could have been with the Knicks, but rather what’s still to come in Minnesota.
“My whole thing has always been since the day I got here is control what you can control. And if that opportunity presented itself, I would’ve been ready for it. It didn’t,” Randle said. “And honestly, I’m really happy and excited and blessed. I’ve got unfinished business here. And that’s what I’m choosing to focus on.”
Randle is also focused on being more of a playmaker from the power forward spot, and will soon join the likes of Anthony Edwards, Mike Conley, Rudy Gobert and again, Donte DiVincenzo, also acquired from the Knicks.
“I’ve always liked to say I’m more of a passer than a scorer,” Randle said. “That’s what I genuinely like to do. That’s how I grew up playing basketball. The situation here in New York, [Tom Thibodeau] needed me to score more, and I took on that responsibility. And Jalen came along, and he took a little bit off of me, as well. But I enjoy playmaking. That’s what I enjoy doing.
“And [Minnesota coach Chris Finch] is putting me in many different positions to play-make. And I’m excited to be able to show that. Not just from the post, getting double-teamed. Finch is moving me all over the floor, allowing me to be able to show that stuff. I’m excited about that.”
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