Julius Randle reflects on Knicks tenure amid MSG return with Timberwolves: Unfinished business

Julius Randle isn’t looking back or dwelling on unfinished business in New York.That chapter was closed by the Knicks. “It’s finished now,” Randle, a member of the Timberwolves, said Sunday.

“I got unfinished business where I’m at.” Randle, whose five seasons at the Garden represent the franchise’s best stint since at least Carmelo Anthony’s, had been excited about the opportunity to recreate the success of last season’s January, when the Knicks owned a 14-2 record and were close to fully healthy. But Randle, who dislocated his shoulder at the end of that month, was traded to Minnesota in a summer shocker, and the opportunity to run it back was eliminated. “My whole thing has always been since the day I got here is control what you can control.And if that opportunity presented itself, I would’ve been ready for it.

It didn’t,” Randle said.“And honestly, I’m really happy and excited and blessed.

I’ve got unfinished business here.And that’s what I’m choosing to focus on.” Randle, who can become a free agent after the season, still hasn’t played since suffering the dislocated shoulder and was inactive for Sunday’s preseason contest against the Knicks.

He’s expected to be ready before the regular season, however, and is eager to demonstrate his passing skills as a secondary scorer next to superstar Anthony Edwards. Randle said the circumstances in New York forced him into a greater scoring role. “I’ve always liked to say I’m more of a passer than a scorer,” said Randle, who averaged 22.6 points on 17.7 shots during his Knicks career.“That’s what I genuinely like to do.

That’s how I grew up playing basketball.The situation here in New York, [Tom Thibodeau] needed me to score more, and I took on that responsibility.

And Jalen came along, and he took a little bit off of me, as well.But I enjoy playmaking.

That’s what I enjoy doing.“And [Minnesota coach Chris Finch] is putting me in many different...