Short takes

• Headed to Target Center on Sunday, Detroit's Upper Midwest connection — Orono's own Jon Leuer and Rice Lake, Wisconsin's Henry Ellenson — spent a little time last summer working out with Wolves center Cole Aldrich.

Leuer and Aldrich played on the same AAU team and have worked out together — lifting weights, shooting drills, a little one-on-one — for the last four or five summers.

They welcomed the Wisconsin kid for a couple days last summer.

"You know, we're open to anybody working out with us," Aldrich said.

• The Wolves on Monday play Charlotte for the second time in two weeks. It's also Hornets coach Steve Clifford's second look around at how former colleague and longtime friend Tom Thibodeau has remade the Wolves' roster around three-time All-Star Jimmy Butler.

"He's such a great player, great competitor," Clifford said. "He understands what playing in the NBA is all about. You just watch him. To me, he's all about winning."

• Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns on Friday in Dallas wore a personalized knit cap given to him by his girlfriend for his 22nd birthday last week. It has stitching that reads, "No kitten around," a play on his initials and nickname.

"It's a lot better than the high-five Andrew gave me for my birthday," Towns said, referring to teammate Andrew Wiggins.