Julius Randle

A powerful, playmaking bully-ball forward — the physical second star of the Timberwolves.

Julius Deion Randle was born in Dallas, the son of a former Texas basketball player, and posted 24 double-doubles as a Kentucky freshman before the Lakers drafted him 7th in 2014. After stops in Los Angeles and New Orleans, he became a three-time All-Star and the 2021 Most Improved Player with the Knicks.

In October 2024 he was traded to Minnesota — alongside Donte DiVincenzo — in the deal that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to New York. A physical, downhill scorer and improving passer, he posted a triple-double in the 2025 Western Conference Semifinals and helped Minnesota reach the Conference Finals, then signed a three-year, $100 million extension.

Sources: Wikipedia, NBA.com, Basketball-Reference, ESPN.

Randle's game was forged by his mother, Carolyn Kyles, a former college player who trained him hard growing up in the Dallas area. A devout Christian who visited the team chapel before every home game at Kentucky, he is married to Kendra and a father of three, and carries a reputation as a relentless, physical worker.

His identity is 'bully-ball' — a strong, 250-pound forward who backs defenders down, bulls to the rim, and increasingly passes out of double-teams. After a bumpy final stretch in New York, the move to Minnesota reframed him as a physical, playmaking second star next to Anthony Edwards, a role in which his scoring and passing keyed a Conference Finals run.

A physical, playmaking bully-ball forward — downhill scoring, rebounding, and improving passing.

Per game

Source: Basketball-Reference.

Where he sits in history

A physical, playmaking second star on a long-term deal — bully-ball scoring for Minnesota.

On a three-year, $100 million extension, Randle gives Minnesota a physical, playmaking second option next to Edwards. His scoring, rebounding, and improved passing key the offense, with his defense and outside shooting the swing factors.

Contract