Early indications suggest the Randle family is embracing a stunning change of scenery.
After Friday night’s trade in which the Knicks sent Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, DaQuan Jeffries and a first-round draft pick to the Timberwolves in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns, Randle’s wife, Kendra, has shared a couple positive reactions.
On her Instagram stories, Kendra re-shared a post by ESPN’s NBA account that had a picture of her husband Photoshopped into a Timberwolves jersey with the caption, “Minnesota could be looking scary next season.”
Kendra added five eye-heart emojis to signal her affection for the move.
In a subsequent post, Kendra re-shared a photo of the Timberwolves’ projected starting lineup, adding her own caption: “Scary hours: Minnesota here we come.”
Ghost, fire and celebratory emojis were added for good measure.
Randle, 29, had been a Knick for the past five seasons.
Last season, he averaged 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.
He underwent season-ending shoulder surgery right before the playoffs but was expected to be ready for this upcoming season.
As ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne noted, Randle and the Knicks had not made progress on a contract extension this summer, which made him susceptible to a trade.
Towns previously played for Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau in Minnesota and the two infamously squabbled.
Nevertheless, the center told The Post’s Stefan Bondy last season that he and Thibodeau had “squashed” their beef.
“I got no problems with Thibs. We’ve been squashed that,” Towns said last October. “I still look at Thibs as one of the best Xs and Os coaches I’ve been able to play for. He breathes winning, and I got nothing but respect for him.”
Towns, who still has $200 million left on his contract, is a big man who can stretch opposing defenses with 3-point shooting and a robust defender in his own right.