In New York, the 29-year-old finally blossomed into a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA Team selection.
All Randle ever wanted is to be in a place where he was accepted, and Minnesota will give him that chance.
"You want to be somewhere where you feel wanted. I feel wanted here," Randle said in the Timberwolves’ introductory press conference on Friday, October 4 (PH Time).
Julius Randle says he feels ‘wanted’ in Minnesota and that he wants to be there
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 3, 2024
"For me, being here is super important. You want to be somewhere where you're wanted. I feel wanted here. ... Ultimately, yeah, I do want to be here."
(Via @JonKrawczynski ) pic.twitter.com/zqwJQqDkXM
He was with other new acquisitions Donte DiVincenzo and Keita Bates-Diop alongside president of basketball operations Tim Connelly.
🐺🐺🐺 pic.twitter.com/KpFgIhlfrI
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 3, 2024
It was their first public appearance since the blockbuster trade that also featured Karl-Anthony Towns going to the New York Knicks.
[ALSO READ: Report: Timberwolves trading Karl-Anthony Towns to Knicks for Julius Randle]
Randle reiterated his desire to win now and believed it was the right time to do so in Minnesota.
"At this point in my career, I've accomplished a lot of great things on an individual level, but I want to win a championship. This is a perfect opportunity to do that."
DiVincenzo, a key part in the Knicks East Finals run last season, echoed his teammate’s vision.
"I realize the opportunity here."
officially official. pic.twitter.com/4XIsT8lHXz
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 3, 2024
Another key piece in the trade, DiVicenzo is expected to bolster the Timberwolves' bench with reigning Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid.
A 40% shooter from 3-point range last season on 8.7 attempts per game, the former Villanova Wildcat brings much-needed shooting to the table.
"That was a big part of why I'm so excited. You can play so many different lineups. Small, big, it doesn't matter."
Randle described getting traded to Minnesota brings 'excitement" and a 'breath of fresh air."
Now it's time to put the work to a team who are coming off a Western Conference Finals appearance a season ago.
[ALSO READ: Mavericks blast Timberwolves in Game 5, enter first NBA Finals in 13 years]
"My only thing is I just want to help… I want to help win a championship. That's the only thing that matters," Randle bared.
He will also be reunited with head coach Chris Finch who were both in New Orleans, with the latter being an assistant coach at that time.
"I've always thought he was a genius. He's a great communicator, knows how to get the best out of his players," Finch said.
Randle missed the playoffs last season which ended up as his final season in New York after sustaining a shoulder injury.
But Randle beliebes he is 100% now and can bring a lot to the table for Minnesota.
And as a fresh start is about to unfold in the Twin City, all but one thing is clear to former Most Improved Player.
"I want to help [Anthony Edwards]. I want to help Rudy [Gobert], Naz [Reid] -- all those guys. I want to help win a championship, and that's the only thing that matters."
