Second-year forward Jon Leuer has impressed Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott during the early stages of training camp, and now Scott thinks Leuer had a chance to contribute as a stretch power forward during the upcoming season. Leuer developed excellent perimeter skills while playing in Bo Ryan's swing offense at the University of Wisconsin, and he flashed some pick-and-pop potential with the Milwaukee Bucks during his rookie season. Scott definitely has taken notice, as he recently told Cleveland.com:
"I want him to get comfortable with [playing PF]," Scott said. "He definitely has 3-point range, [he's] much more athletic than people think he is, and he's a tough kid. He plays hard. And he's pretty good in the post as well. I think he has a pretty good all-around game right now, it's just a matter of bringing it all out with him."
The 23-year-old forward was originally selected in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft by the Bucks, but he was dealt prior to the Houston Rockets in a pre-draft deal during the offseason, waived by the Rockets in July and signed by the Cavs just two days later.
Leuer posted a 15.3 PER -- higher than guys like Ricky Rubio, Kemba Walker and Tristan Thompson -- and a 53.6 True Shooting Percentage in 2011-12 over 46 games and 555 minutes.