Pistons’ $200 million offer to Jalen Duren reportedly includes weight clause

The Pistons have offered Jalen Duren $200 million guaranteed. Apparently, they’d also like him to step on a scale once a month.

Hunter Patterson and Sam Amick of The Athletic report that Detroit’s latest five-year offer includes a weight clause. The exact requirements have yet to be formally submitted, but the proposal calls for Duren to undergo monthly weigh-ins throughout the year.

Duren and his representatives reportedly weren’t thrilled with the idea.

The Pistons wanted the 22-year-old center to lose weight following their second-round playoff loss to the Cavaliers, believing his conditioning may have contributed to his postseason struggles. According to The Athletic, that assessment surprised Duren’s camp.

Detroit president Trajan Langdon has some experience with this territory. He worked in the Pelicans’ front office when New Orleans gave Zion Williamson a maximum contract containing weight and body-fat requirements.

This helps explain why Duren’s contract negotiations have become about more than dollars.

The Pistons clearly value Duren. Teams don’t casually offer $200 million. But attaching monthly weigh-ins to that offer also sends a message about trust, conditioning and how Detroit views its young center.

Now the sides must decide whether that message can be negotiated away.