Exactly a year prior to his long-awaited MSG return, the highest mark of Julius Randle’s tenure was taking shape.

The New York Knicks took a risk by trading Julius Randle after all he'd contributed. Unfortunately, it's looking like it was the right decision.

Jalen Brunson, KAT are first Knicks’ duo to start in All-Star Game in 50 years Jan. 24, 2025, 10:13 a.m. What channel is the Knicks vs. Nets game today (1/21/25)? FREE LIVE STREAM, Time, TV, for NBA regular season Jan. 21, 2025, 1:00 p.m.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) shoots at the basket as Boston Celtics forwards Xavier Tillman (26) and Jayson Tatum (0) defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) AP

For the first time in nearly a half-century, the Knicks have two All-Star starters. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Randle believed in the Knicks and their potential when almost no one else in the NBA did. When Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard and almost every other free agent took a hard pass on the Knicks, Randle risked coming to a franchise that had just finished a 17-65 season and had gone six straight years without making the playoffs.

Friday night marked Randle’s first game back at Madison Square Garden since the Knicks traded him and Donte DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the three-team blockbuster that brought center Karl-Anthony Towns to New York.

Jalen Brunson flew past a New York Knicks legend in Monday's win over the Atlanta Hawks. Another sterling scoring output for Brunson, earner of 34 points, allow

it represents a step toward a new identity built around Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson. For the Timberwolves, it’s a chance to add a proven veteran to a promising young roster. For Randle ...

Randle played his heart out for the Knicks, but this new version of their offense is much more potent without his low post scoring clogging up the paint. Jalen Brunson has room to breathe, and he can conserve his energy more with Towns, O.G. Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges all added to the team.

Randle played a secondary role in the Timberwolves’ 116-99 win, taking a backseat in the spotlight as Anthony Edwards dazzled with 36 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists.

Julius Randle marked his return to Madison Square Garden with a quiet game. But his impact was felt in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 116-99 rout of his former team, the New York Knicks, on Friday night (Saturday Manila time).