Could Nets’ F Randle Make History Next Season?

Michael Ray Richardson is the only NBA player to make the All-Star Game while playing for the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, and one more player can join this rare company: Julius Randle.

Brooklyn traded for the 31-year-old on June 29 -- the day before the NBA draft -- with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets.

Randle is an experienced veteran on a young team and is confident they can exceed expectations set for them next season. ESPN predicted they would finish 18-64, two fewer wins than last season.

He is key to the Nets' success, and New York Post writer Andrew Crane envisions a scenario where Randle makes rare history.

"If Julius Randle can replicate his numbers from the last time he was a primary scorer with the Knicks in 2023-24 (24.0 PPG), he could position himself to become just the second player, joining Michael Ray Richardson, to earn an All-Star Game nod with both the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks," Crane wrote.

Randle spent five seasons in New York, joining the franchise in the 2019 offseason on a three-year, $63 million contract.

The 6-foot-10 forward blossomed into a No. 1 option, transforming into a consistent 20-point scorer for four straight seasons. Defenders struggled to handle his 6-foot-9, 250-pound frame and had to respect his jump shot once he developed it.

He averaged over five three-point attempts in four of five seasons, including shooting a career-high 41.1% in the 2020-21 season.

Randle became a reliable veteran scorer and made three All-Star appearances (2021, 2023 and 2024) during his tenure. He has tough competition at forward, with stars like Jayson Tatum, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard (now that the Los Angeles Clippers-Toronto Raptors trade is official).

The Knicks drafted Richardson fourth overall in 1978, coming out of Montana. He spent four seasons with the franchise and made three straight All-Star appearances from the 1979-80 season to 1981-82.

Richardson led the league in assists (10.1 per game) and steals (1.2 per game) in his first selection and tallied back-to-back First Team All-Defense selections.

He spent half a season with the Golden State Warriors before he was traded to the New Jersey Nets. Richardson spent three seasons in New Jersey and made his fourth All-Star appearance in the 1984-85 season, leading the NBA with 82 games played and three steals per game.

It's an uphill climb for Randle to join Richardson's company, but a high-scoring season and leading Brooklyn to win games could make a strong case for him to make the All-Star Game.