New York Knicks forward Julius Randle walks to the bench during a timeout late in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
LOS ANGELES — Julius Randle was back where his NBA career began, readying to face the Lakers, the team that had drafted him No. 7 overall in 2014. And maybe now, even after a breakout season that ended just months ago, his status is as uncertain as it was back then.
Randle’s potential was finally realized with his first All-Star Game appearance, the NBA’s Most Improved Player honor and a second-team All-NBA spot.