Julius Randle is embracing a leadership role with the Nets while setting his sights on a new offensive role under Jordi Fernández. The veteran forward also explained why he believes his fit with Michael Porter Jr. could give Brooklyn’s offense another dimension.
The Brooklyn Nets are entering the 2026-27 season with a young roster, but Julius Randle believes the team has the talent and leadership necessary to surprise people.
Randle spoke with reporters Monday at Nets Media Day ahead of the start of training camp, discussing his role as one of the most experienced players on the roster, his excitement about playing alongside Michael Porter Jr. and the development of Brooklyn’s young players.
After 13 seasons in the NBA, Randle is entering his first season with the Nets following a career that has included stops with the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves. While he is one of Brooklyn’s most accomplished players, Randle said he does not plan on changing who he is in order to take on a leadership role.
“I just don't try to be anything other than myself,” Randle said. “Help as much as I can, use my voice when needed, and just lead by example every single day.”
Randle also echoed comments he previously made about the Nets having the potential to “shock the world,” saying that mindset will start with how the team approaches training camp.
For Randle, the focus is on consistency rather than setting a specific win total or playoff goal before the season begins.
“I think it starts tomorrow with training camp and we just build from there,” Randle said. “We stack days, continue to improve, come in with the right focus every single day.”
The veteran forward emphasized the importance of maintaining the same approach regardless of the result, saying the Nets need to be willing to embrace the process throughout the season.
Randle also discussed what he expects from his pairing with Porter Jr., who gives Brooklyn another high-level scoring option and an elite shooter and cutter.
“I think it'll be great just because our play styles, I feel like, mesh with each other very well,” Randle said.
Randle believes his ability to create off the dribble and get into the paint can open opportunities for Porter Jr., particularly because of Porter’s ability to cut, catch, and shoot. He pointed to his previous experience playing alongside Donte DiVincenzo as an example of how effective that type of partnership can be.
Beyond Porter Jr., Randle has already started getting familiar with Brooklyn’s young core. He specifically praised Mikel Brown Jr. and Egor Dëmin, describing both as extremely talented players with a strong desire to improve.
Randle said Brown’s ability to make reads out of the pick-and-roll stood out to him, particularly for a 19-year-old rookie. He also praised Dëmin’s shooting, athleticism, and understanding of the game.
Randle believes the young players mainly need guidance and strong examples around them, something he experienced early in his own career while learning from Kobe Bryant.
“I had the best example you can have in Kobe,” Randle said. “I feel like those lessons, and just that example that he set for me has carried me throughout my career.”
Randle also expressed excitement about playing in Fernández’s offensive system. He said he immediately asked for film after learning he was coming to Brooklyn and believes the Nets’ use of dribble handoffs, short-roll actions and different ways of getting him involved can expand his game.
Rather than relying primarily on isolation scoring, Randle wants to become a more versatile playmaker.
“I think for me, one of the things I'm excited about is that you're talking about the DHOs, the pocket playmaking, getting into the short roll, making a game not just easier for myself but for my teammates as well,” Randle said.
Randle also revealed one of his individual goals for the upcoming season: setting career highs in three-point attempts and makes. He credited former Knicks assistant coach Johnny Bryant with helping him become more comfortable as a catch-and-shoot threat.
Randle said he initially felt like he was “settling” when taking catch-and-shoot threes instead of attacking the basket, but eventually realized those shots could make the rest of his offensive game easier.
After averaging a career-high eight three-point attempts per game during one season, Randle wants to continue expanding that part of his game in Brooklyn.
With training camp beginning Tuesday, Randle's message was consistent throughout Media Day. He wants to lead by example, continue developing his own game, and help a young Nets roster grow around him.
For Brooklyn, how quickly that veteran leadership translates to the court will be one of the more interesting storylines to watch once training camp gets underway.
