Julius Randle quietly solidifying status Knicks fans never thought he'd reach

Denver Nuggets v Minnesota Timberwolves | Ellen Schmidt/GettyImagesWhen the New York Knicks traded Julius Randle to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2024, the returning and outgoing packages spoke volumes. Minnesota received Keita Bates-Diop, Donte DiVincenzo, Julius Randle, and a first-round pick, while the Knicks took back Karl-Anthony Towns and James Nnaji's draft rights.

What Randle has thoroughly proven during his time in Minnesota, however, is that he's exactly what neither Knicks fans nor the front office thought he could be: The perfect second option.

Randle arrived in Minnesota as a decorated player whose reputation failed to align with his accolades. He was a two-time All-NBA honoree…