The feeling between coach and player is mutual. Finch said Randle was a “joy to coach” in their prior experience together.

But at a Target Center press conference Thursday for Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and Keita Bates-Diop — all acquired from the New York Knicks for Karl-Anthony Towns — Randle showed he was relishing the reunion.

Three-time All-Star Julius Randle is headed to Minnesota after five seasons with New York.

Julius Randle said he was shocked when he learned he was traded to the Timberwolves but that he is happy to "be somewhere where you feel wanted."

Julius Randle was in shock when he learned last weekend that the New York Knicks had traded him to the Minnesota Timberwolves. After five seasons of becoming an All-Star with the Knicks, Randle had been looking forward to another shot at the playoffs after recovering from a shoulder injury that sidelined him last season.

The Minnesota Timberwolves held their first press conference with Julius Randle, who was just acquired in the blockbuster trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks, and he opened up on the emotions of that trade as well as how excited that he is to join his new team.