Report: Boris Diaw's Contract Contains Monetary Incentives for Staying in Shape

Boris Diaw's resurgence since joining the San Antonio Spurs in 2012 has been almost inexplicable. Until now.

In the last two seasons, he has bent time and space with his passes, played solid defense on the likes of LeBron James and generally looked fleeter of foot.

Diaw’s resurgent play isn’t an accident. It’s a product of work and weight loss, the latter of which appears to be founded on a specific clause in his contract.

ESPN Insider Amin Elhassan (subscription required; h/t CBS Sports’ James Herbert) reports the Spurs power forward’s contract includes $500,000 in potential annual bonuses should he meet certain weight goals. 

The magic number is 254 pounds, with three weigh-ins throughout the calendar year.

The deal is structured like this:

• If Diaw weighs less than or equal to 254 pounds on Oct. 25, he makes $150,000.
• If he still weighs less than or equal to 254 pounds by the Tuesday after the NBA All-Star Game, he makes another $150,000.
• Lastly, if Diaw weighs in at 254 or less on April 1, he rakes in $200,000—because they really need him lean for the postseason.

Diaw signed a contract extension with the Spurs in July (three years, $22-plus million). According to the San Antonio Express-News' Jeff McDonald, Diaw’s weight-meeting bonuses existed prior to the extension and were fulfilled:

As for this year’s bonuses, Diaw appears to be on his way to cashing those checks. Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich jokingly called the Frenchman out on his weight during a media presser in September:

Diaw's response was a spectacular picture with the caption, "No worries pop only one glass of wine and daily workouts!"

That’s how you keep it off, guys: a glass of red wine and a raised eyebrow.

If only we could all have contractual obligations to stay in shape, we’d all be beautiful and rich. Or the same and poor. Either way, we’d appreciate the opportunity.

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