Wolves Star Julius Randle Reveals ‘Darkest Moment’ of His Life, Which Caused Him To Self Medicate

In 2019, Julius Randle arrived in New York. The New York Knicks signed the power forward during one of their worst stretches in NBA history, making Randle an essential piece in their journey towards slight redemption.

And Randle didn’t disappoint. As a player, he pulled the team ahead as well as he could, earning all of his All-Star honors while in New York. However, his 2024 trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves ended his time with the Knicks on a bitter note.

Julius Randle Hit Lowest Point of Career After New York Knicks Trade to Minnesota Timberwolves
In a recent interview with the Athletics’ Jon Krawczynski, Randle — now prepping for his 12th NBA campaign — spoke about his NBA journey, the infamous Knicks-Wolves trade, and why he has begun feeling at home in Minnesota.

Previously a key playmaker on the team, Randle began to feel “isolated” as the team seemed to move on with Jalen Brunson as their star.

Julius Randle says injuries, the Knicks’ playoff run without him, and toxic narratives led to depression and pushed him into a dark place, where he turned to marijuana

“At the end of that time, I was kind of at my darkest moment. Just miserable, like in a way where I just was… pic.twitter.com/cvg3jKZl6C

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 26, 2025

“You know how New York is, man. You’re under a different microscope,” Randle revealed. “So it’s like, you’re not just battling and trying to win. It seems like you’re battling a million different things.”

However, the trade pushed him into a darker zone. He self-medicated with marijuana and pulled away from his close ones as depression, anger, and anxiety took over.

“When I got traded, I’m like damn, I can’t believe this got taken from me,” Randle revealed. “It’s like, you worked so hard to build something, and it was just snatched away.”

Further elaborating, Randle said: “At the end of that time, I was kind of at my darkest moment. Just miserable, like in a way where I just was not having fun going to work every single day.”

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In fact, Randle admitted to being alone even when he was back home.

“I would just be in there watching TV in a dark room. I didn’t even want to show my face. I kind of just wanted to be left alone and, like, in hiding. Just very frustrated and angry and all those different emotions. It just wasn’t a good place to be in.”

His wife, Kendra, admitted that she “barely” recognized her husband.

Therapy Helped Pull Randle From His Dark Places After the Knicks Trade
During the interview, Kendra revealed that she sought help, and therapy ultimately helped Randle cope with the sudden move.

“The therapy certainly played a big role in Randle rediscovering the clarity of mind he needed. But the relocation to Minnesota, as hectic as it was, has expedited his personal turnaround,” Krawczynski wrote.

Randle admitted that the marijuana was “stealing his soul,” ultimately quitting as therapy helped him re-focus on his life and family.

Randle credited Kendra and his loved ones for helping him, well aware that the support system he had played a big role in his recovery. And while he loved it in New York, he has now made himself at home in Minnesota.

That said, Randle certainly enjoyed a successful time in New York.

In the 330 games he played with the Knicks, he averaged 22.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, shooting 45% from the field.

In his one season with the Timberwolves, Randle has scored 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 48.5% from the field.

With the 2025-26 season right around the corner, one can expect Randle to grow more comfortable in his role in Minnesota — providing necessary guidance as a reliable veteran. And though his scoring average might decline, one can certainly expect Randle to pick up a more leadership-focused role in the locker room.