Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle recently spoke in a postgame interview on Nov. 19 about the work he put in this offseason to improve his game, citing workouts to help decrease the amount of time he spends with his back to the basket. 

“I mean, I know when I turn my back, they’re coming,” Randle said during the postgame interview. “So, I just got to be strong when I do spin, play off of two feet more, and then also just don’t spin…learn to pick up my dribble and just be strong with the ball. And then just make a decision or just don’t spin.” 

Those workouts appear to be paying off in more ways than one, as Randle is having one of the more impressive starts to a season of his 12-year career. He has played in all 15 of the Timberwolves’ games so far on the young campaign, and is averaging a near career-high with 25 points per game to go along with 7.5 rebounds and 6.1 assists. 

“I think when I make quick decisions and play with pace, it really doesn’t matter, ‘cause I’m moving, I’m catching on the move and getting offensive rebounds on the move,” Randle said, speaking to how he’s been guarded so far this season. “It’s just less resistance than isolating and seeing five guys in front of me.” 

Randle’s career to this point has not been as linear as some of his contemporaries. His career began with an injury in game one of his rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers, and just as he was finding his footing with the purple and gold post-injury, he was out the door to New Orleans to play with the Pelicans.

Randle had plenty of success while he was with the New York Knicks, but injuries kept him out of play as his tenure was running out there as well. 

Now in year two with Minnesota, Randle appears to have settled into his game in ways he never fully had the chance to at his previous destinations. Through the first month of the season, he is looking like the bona fide second option to Anthony Edwards that the Timberwolves undoubtedly hoped for when trading for him last October. 

With a year in Minnesota under his belt, the Timberwolves now just may have what it takes to finally reach that ever-elusive first NBA Finals appearance, that has been on hold since the franchise was founded, but more recently in the last two years as the team has fallen short in the Western Conference Finals for two straight seasons. 

Only time will tell if this is in fact Minnesota’s year, but if the Timberwolves can continue to count on the stellar play Randle has put forth to start the 2025-26 season, then the team will be in good shape come the playoffs.