Are you a fan of short and sweet goodbyes? Julius Randle certainly is. As we roll back the calendar, the hooper initially had a hard time finding a role while coming into the league in 2014. After just one game in his rookie season, the Lakers first-round pick missed the entire season – because of a broken right tibia. But since then, the 6’8 forward/center has been a consistent presence becoming a fan favorite! However, Randle really found his place after arriving in New York. And now, that chapter has also come to an end, sadly.

The blockbuster Karl-Anthony Towns trade saw Randle also on the move to Minnesota alongside Donte DiVincenzo. In his five years with the Knicks, Julius Randle was named to an All-Star team thrice, All-NBA teams twice, and also named the Most Improved Player in 2021. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that the 29-year-old thrived in MSG!

And as a farewell note, Julius Randle took to Instagram to post just one photo with 4 words – “NEW YORK! THANK YOU,” followed by a folded hands emoji. No long speech or an emotional message. But perhaps the lack of those was what sparked an emotional fest in the comment section, with his wife, Kendra, and WNBA superstar, Sabrina Ionescu, among others thanking him for his services to the New York franchise.

Mrs. Randle commented 3 goat emojis, echoing the sentiment of many NY fans that they indeed consider Julius Randle a GOAT. As for Ionescu, she wrote, “Thank you,” followed by a raised hands emoji, clearly reflecting her pride in everything the veteran did for NYC. Randle has largely remained consistent, averaging 22.6 points on any given night. However, last season saw him play just 46 games, having dislocated his shoulder in NYC’s 125-109 win over the Heat in late January.

Although Randle was rehabbing the shoulder in hopes of returning in time for the Knickerbockers in the playoffs, the timeline simply did not work out. An early April update confirmed what everyone was scared of – season-ending surgery. He was slated to be re-evaluated in 5 months and, as per the latest update, nothing is stopping him from suiting up for the Wolves!

According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Bobby Marks, Minnesota is expected to have Julius Randle for training camp once the deal is finalized. Going back to the tributes for New York’s favorite center, it’s hard to pick a few, given how each one of them has nothing but love for the man! But we have a few hand-picked ones for you.

“KING OF NEW YORK” Julius Randle receives heartfelt messages from the basketball community

They weren’t the only ones with tributes for the Knicks veteran. Former Spurs player Melvin Sanders had quite the compliment for Julius Randle on his farewell Instagram post. “KING OF NEW YORK!! Had the heart and dawg to play in NY when them other boys was scared!! You da [insert goat emoji] family!” 

Sanders was obviously referring to the disappointing 2019 free agency. Despite being the ‘Mecca of Basketball,’ the franchise with sellout crowds, top Hollywood names, and more weren’t able to sway any of the A-list NBA names, two of which were Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, whom they chased for nearly a year, before losing them to their cross-town neighbors, the Nets.

The next is one of the top New York S&C/ Performance coach, Brian Harrington. He commented, “Always a Knick!” A sentiment many have repeated. And finally, the Knicks sideline reporter, Rebecca Haarlow, had a lengthy, heartwarming testimonial.

“Thank you Ju!!! So many favorite memories with you and your family, @kendrarandle_ [insert white heart emoji]. It was special to watch your tremendous impact unfold on the court and through out the city. Your first All-Star, Knicks first playoffs in ages, that first game back in Cleveland in playoffs 2 years ago, last January’s run, another All-Star etc…”

“Those are some of the big moments, but it’s the small ones too – the Kalore shoutout on air during COVID, the interviews with Kyden and all the simple times that we had a chat about something other than basketball like the latest silliness from either one of our toddlers. I am wishing you all the continued success in the world. Thank you. It’s been an incredible journey,” she finished, followed by two folded-hands emoji.

Pretty sure you remember those “big moments” Haarlow mentioned. The 2020-21 season saw Randle lead the Knicks to their first playoff appearance for the first time since 2013. Although the then-4th seeded NYC lost to Atlanta in the first round, it had established Julius Randle as a leader and a player who thrived under pressure.

As for the other two, in Julius’ second Knicks playoff appearance, the Kentucky alum, despite lingering ankle issues, set the tone for the team’s series victory against Cleveland. And January 2023 saw Randle go on a scoring spree. Take, for instance, the memorable Knicks’ 117-104 win over Detroit mid January, where he scored 42 points and 15 rebounds in 40 minutes.

Of course, you would probably have your favorite Julius Randle moments. But the bottom line is that the Dallas native has been a pivotal member of the Knicks at a time when they needed all the help they could get.

Here’s to wishing him the best of everything in Minnesota!

Before leaving, do watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant, her WNBA ROTY picks, and more in the video below.