The Detroit Pistons and free agent Jalen Duren center are still seemingly far apart in negotiations on a new contract, and a rumored weight clause might be a big factor. Per The Athletic's Sam Amick and Hunter Patterson (subscription required), Detroit has included a monthly weight check in its offer for the All-Star, which reportedly caught Duren and his camp off guard.
The Milwaukee Bucks, a team Amick and Patterson mention are lurking as "serious" suitors for the star center, should not worry about such a thing.
Duren's weight concerns are laughable
As Amick and Patterson note in their report, when discussing Duren, one league source said, “(He) looks like a Greek statue.” Indeed, the big man stands at 6-foot-10, 250 lbs. The Milwaukee Bucks know a thing or two about hulking big men who look like Greek statues, having just employed one over the last decade plus.
Duren has always been among the most built big men across the league, which makes this pitch by the Pistons all the more puzzling. Sure, sometimes being leaner helps with mobility and fluidity, but as the Bucks enjoyed with Giannis Antetokounmpo, sometimes it's nice having a player who is stronger than almost every opponent he faces and can use that strength to overpower them by the hoop.
This is not a Zion Williamson situation
With all due respect to Zion Williamson, it made sense for the New Orleans Pelicans to put a weight clause in his contract. Considering he is tied for being the third-heaviest player in the NBA at 284 lbs despite standing at 6-foot-6, committing to him was a risk. Concerns about his weight have followed him throughout his career, with the big man having reached 300 lbs at one point.
Duren should never be roped into that type of controversy. Yet, strangely, Amick and Patterson note that the Pistons privately wanted Duren to cut weight following the team's playoff loss. Why? Would they not worry about him losing a key advantage with his strength? Imagine if the Bucks asked their former superstar to drop a few pounds. It would have been baffling.
It feels like the Pistons made a hostile negotiation even worse by putting this clause in their offer.
Perhaps this foolish inclusion could be exactly what the Milwaukee Bucks need to swoop in if they truly have interest in the All-Star. The last thing the Pistons want is for Duren to sign the qualifying offer and drag this headache into the regular season, which could fuel a sign-and-trade. By including this foolish weight clause, Detroit may have burned a bridge.
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