Big man Julius Randle of the New York Knicks revealed to teammates Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson on their podcast that he aspired to play his whole NBA career for the Los Angeles Lakers, much as Kobe Bryant did.

In the 2014 NBA Draft, Randle was selected by the Lakers with the seventh overall pick. Due to a broken right leg sustained on opening night against the Houston Rockets, Randle was limited to playing in just one game during his rookie campaign. Before joining the New Orleans Pelicans in July 2018, Randle played with the Lakers for four seasons of experience. Randle became an unrestricted free agent after Los Angeles gave up his right to a free agent exception in order to make room in the cap for LeBron James.

1. During his time with the Lakers, Randle averaged 13.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. The left-hander averaged 21.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in his brief season with the Pelicans. Randle signed a contract with the Knicks during the 2019 summer. Randle has made two All-NBA teams and three All-Star teams since moving to New York. The Most Improved Player of the Year Award for 2020–21 went to him as well. As of right now, Randle is not available due to a dislocated shoulder. He was hurt on January 27 while playing the Miami Heat.

Randle is “pushing hard,” according to NBA reporter Fred Katz of The Athletic, to recover from his injury. Katz stated, “Randle is working very hard behind the scenes to return.” “He’s human, but his pain tolerance is unquestionably “crazy,” as one person close to him recently put it. Randle may be able to endure suffering, but it may still have an impact on him.

Randle is shooting 47.2% from the field, 31.1% from beyond the arc, and 78.1% from the free-throw line this season while averaging 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks. He has one triple-double and eighteen double-doubles. The Knicks’ record during the season is 42-28. According to the Eastern Conference standings, they are in fourth position.