Julius Randle has proven he's one of the NBA's more efficient scorers over the last six seasons. However, Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez expects the three-time All-Star to have a career year in another area in 2026-27.

“I think that this could be [Julius'] best playmaking year,” Fernandez said early in training camp. “He's proven that he's a very efficient player at very different levels. Seasons with the Knicks when he shot eight-plus threes, seasons where he's isolated more, been in the pick-and-roll more, [he's shown] his ability to playmake. And you put all those things together, for me as a coach, being able to use somebody in many different ways, it makes my life easier. I think that he will make his teammates better.”

Randle is proving his new coach right early on. The Nets forward posted nine assists in the first half of Brooklyn's preseason win over the Washington Wizards on Monday. He's averaging 8.0 assists per 36 minutes through three preseason games.

“[Julius'] ability to throw the ball on time and on target to his teammates is unbelievable,” Fernandez said following Monday's win. “Nine assists in one half of basketball is not something many players can do. I haven't seen it many times in my life. I think the only one I've seen is Nikola [Jokic]. And I know it's a preseason game, but you've got to give him a lot of credit. All those passes were right in the pocket, and his teammates made those shots. It was good to see that when he gets to a post-up or an ISO, everybody is making themselves available in the right spot because otherwise, you create more turnovers with poor spacing. But Julius was aggressive to score or make the right pass at the right time.”

Randle will shoulder a heavy ball-handling and shot-creation burden on a Nets team with only first- and second-year point guards.

Can Julius Randle reach new level as playmaker after trade to Nets?

Philadelphia 76ers forward Lebron James (23) defends Brooklyn Nets forward Julius Randle (30) during the first half at Barclays Center.
John Jones-Imagn Images

While he's struggled in the playoffs, the 32-year-old has been among the NBA's top regular-season offensive engines in recent years. Randle has averaged 22.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists on .459/.341/.785 shooting splits over the last six seasons. He's one of four players to average over 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists while shooting 45.0 percent or better from the field during that span, alongside Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic.

Randle's best playmaking season came with the New York Knicks in 2020-21, when he averaged 6.0 assists in 37.6 minutes per game. While he's known for isolation scoring, the 6-foot-9 forward feels Fernandez's diverse offensive playbook will boost his passing.

“I'll playmake for sure. I think that's always going to be a big part of my game,” Randle said early in camp. “I think here I have some versatility with how I can do it. It's not just isolation playmaking. I can playmake through the pocket. I can playmake in the post. I can playmake cutting. So it's different ways through the flow of the offense that I'll be able to do it. But again, it's always going to be a big part of my game. I enjoy making my teammates better, and I feel like it's going to be even heightened here with the system and how Jordi does things.”

Egor + Julius DHO ➡️ pocket pass ➡️ kickout for MPJ three

Nets running good offense early. pic.twitter.com/SzBS53EJWH

— Erik Slater (@ErikSlater_) October 12, 2026

Day'Ron Sharpe drills an above-the-break three on the game's opening possession.

The stroke looks smooth, and the coaches on the Nets' bench look comfortable with Day'Ron taking that shot. pic.twitter.com/x5I8KpP2CG

— Erik Slater (@ErikSlater_) October 12, 2026

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While the Nets lack other on-ball creators, Randle will have several high-level shooters alongside him.

Michael Porter Jr. has shot 39.8 percent on 10.7 threes per 100 possessions throughout his career. He was also highly effective as a cutter and rim finisher last season. Meanwhile, Egor Demin shot 38.5 percent on 12.2 threes per 100 possessions as a rookie, and Keon Ellis is a career 40.7 percent three-point shooter.

Brooklyn's brass is also high on rookie Mikel Brown Jr.'s shooting potential.

Randle and the Nets will close the preseason on Wednesday vs. the Miami Heat. Brooklyn will open the regular season at home against the Charlotte Hornets on Oct. 21.