The Nets acquired Julius Randle to be the tone-setter for a new era of Brooklyn basketball, so it was only fitting that the veteran power forward took the first shot of their season.
On Wednesday night’s opening possession, Randle sized up Charlotte Hornets forward Naz Reid, took two dribbles to his left, then drilled a contested turnaround jumper from the free-throw line.
That was just the start of a big Brooklyn debut, as Randle erupted for 33 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
It came in a losing effort, as the Nets fell, 110-103, to the Hornets at Barclays Center in their season opener.
But Randle functioned well as the focal point of Brooklyn’s new-look offense. He led the team in scoring, assists and minutes (38) while shooting 11-of-18 from the field, including 3-of-5 on 3-pointers.
He was particularly dynamic during a 56-second stretch late in the second quarter, starting with a corner 3-pointer with 1:20 left before the break. On the Nets’ next possession, Randle added another turnaround jumper. Then on defense, Randle’s tenacious defense forced Charlotte’s Brandon Miller into a 44-foot desperation heave.
Even as Charlotte began to create some distance in the fourth quarter, Randle kept Brooklyn within striking distance.
Randle’s assist on a Keon Ellis 3-pointer made it a 104-97 game with 3:27 remaining. His three-point play with 1:16 to go cut the Nets’ deficit to six.
Alas, it wasn’t enough on a night that only one other Net (Michael Porter Jr., with 26 points) scored in double-figures.
But it was an impressive debut for Randle nonetheless.
After going 20-62 last season — the second consecutive season in which they tanked for draft position — the Nets intend to compete this season.
They jumpstarted that mission in June by acquiring Randle in a salary dump from the Minnesota Timberwolves, believing the three-time All-Star could raise the floor and ceiling of the NBA’s youngest roster.
It’s a position Randle, 31, has been in before.
Back in 2019, after Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving chose the Nets over them, the Knicks pivoted to sign Randle in free agency.
At first, Knicks fans viewed that offseason as a disappointment. Then-president Steve Mills even issued a statement acknowledging as much after the Durant and Irving misses.
But Randle emerged as the first building block as the Knicks gradually returned to contention.
In five years with the Knicks, Randle averaged 22.6 points, 9.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game, earned all three of his All-Star selections and helped lead the team to three playoff berths.
Randle didn’t get to enjoy the full fruits of his labor, as he missed the Knicks’ 2024 postseason run due to a dislocated shoulder, then got traded for Karl-Anthony Towns the following offseason.
Two postseasons later, the Knicks won their first championship in 53 years.
The Timberwolves went 49-33 and won at least one playoff series in both of Randle’s seasons in Minnesota, including advancing to the Western Conference Finals in 2025. Last season, Randle averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.
But Randle’s tenure with the Timberwolves trended downward last season, first when he was mentioned in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade discussions, and then when he struggled in the playoffs as Minnesota suffered a disappointing second-round exit.
Seeking financial flexibility this offseason, the Timberwolves sent Randle and his $33.3 million salary to the Nets as part of a four-team trade in which Nic Claxton — Brooklyn’s longtime starting center — ended up with the Chicago Bulls.
That was the same trade in which Minnesota acquired LaMelo Ball from the Hornets, sending Reid to Charlotte as part of the return.
During a preseason visit to Madison Square Garden this month, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch raised eyebrows when he said Minnesota “traded moodiness for giddiness” — a soundbite many assumed referred, at least in part, to Randle.
But the Nets say they’ve been impressed so far by Randle, who, since his very first media availability, has made his expectations clear: for the Nets to win this season, even with a roster featuring three rookies and seven second-year players.
They’re not there yet, but on Wednesday, Randle held up his end of the bargain.
“Getting to know him, you just see a person that embraces the situation that he’s in, and that tells you what type of pro he is,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said Wednesday.
“He’s the first one to set the example. I think that when you lead by example, it’s way more impactful than when you lead with your words.”