Julius Randle revealed he battled depression and substance abuse during his final season with the New York Knicks, crediting mental health treatment and his trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves for his recovery. The Timberwolves forward signed a new three-year, $100 million contract this summer after helping the team reach the Western Conference Finals again in 2025.
Randle described reaching his “darkest moment” while rehabbing a shoulder injury that ended his 2023-24 season. He self-medicated with marijuana and withdrew from his family, spending time isolated in dark rooms at home.
“I would just be in there watching TV in a dark room,” Randle said. “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.”
Randle’s wife Kendra arranged treatment with Dr. Daniel Amen, a psychiatrist who uses brain scan technology. The therapy helped Randle quit marijuana use, which he said was “stealing his soul,” and provided tools to manage depression and anxiety.
“At the end of that time, I was kind of at my darkest moment,” Randle said. “Just miserable, like in a way where I just was not having fun going to work every single day.”
The September 2024 trade to Minnesota provided a fresh start for Randle. Despite early struggles adapting to his new role alongside Anthony Edwards, he found his rhythm after returning from a February groin injury.
Randle’s individual statistics dropped from his New York days but his team impact increased significantly. He averaged 22.6 points in the first round against the Lakers and 25.2 points against Golden State in the second round, helping Minnesota reach the Conference Finals.
“Now it just feels very settled,” Randle said. “I would say even this summer and leading up to the season is probably the happiest I’ve been in a really long time as far as just career, family, everything.”
“When we came here, I was like, ‘Oh my god, Julius is back,'” Kendra Randle said. “Like the L.A. Julius, the New Orleans Julius, he’s back.”
The Timberwolves retained most of their roster from last season’s conference finals run. Randle enters his second Minnesota season with improved mental health and family stability after relocating from New York.