Cole Aldrich and Jon Leuer may have different games, but they followed similar NBA paths.
Aldrich, in his seventh season, is the Wolves' backup center, having signed a three-year, $22 million deal in the offseason. He has become a key part of an increasingly efficient Wolves bench.
Leuer, in his sixth season, is having a career year with the Pistons, who signed him to a four-year, $42 million deal in the offseason.
Both played for multiple teams trying to find the right spot. Both had Development League stints. Both are from Minnesota — Aldrich played at Bloomington Jefferson, Leuer at Orono. They played against each other in high school, with each other in AAU ball and worked out together in the offseason. Their houses are a quarter mile apart.
"We've had to grind it out to get where we're at," Leuer said. "We have a lot of respect for each other, because there were times when it wasn't easy.''
Wolves coach and president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau clearly targeted Aldrich over the summer. As did Stan Van Gundy — who holds both roles with the Pistons — with Leuer.
Van Gundy was a fan of Leuer's for years, believing the versatile forward would flourish if given consistent minutes. Detroit looked at Leuer two years ago. This summer, the Pistons finally got him. He is averaging 26.6 minutes, 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists, all career highs. None of it is surprising to Van Gundy, who likes Leuer's ability to switch on smaller defenders on the pick-and-roll and his ability to stretch defenses with his shot.
"I knew it was going to be a good system for me, that there would be a god opportunity for me to play," Leuer said. "But nothing is guaranteed. You have to come in and prove yourself and earn minutes in any new situation. That's what my mind-set was, that's what I came here to do.''
