New NBA Rumors on Jalen Duren Weight Clause Amid Pistons' $200M Contract Offer

The Detroit Pistons have sent a fully guaranteed five-year, $200 million contract offer to center and restricted free agent Jalen Duren.

Rumors circulated via Hunter Patterson and Sam Amick of The Athletic that the offer included a weight clause "requiring Duren to check his weight monthly throughout the calendar year." The duo clarified the clause was not in writing.

However, Amick and Patterson reported Wednesday that the weight clause "is no longer part of the talks."

"Per league sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity as negotiations continue, the weight clause initially proposed as part of the Pistons' five-year, $200 million offer is no longer part of the talks. The clause was never put in writing. That $200 million offer, which Duren has thus far not accepted, is fully guaranteed and includes no weight-related provisions."

The Athletic gave more insight into the weight clause amid the initial report.

"His struggles in the 2026 postseason are an obvious factor in these talks, but league sources said the perception that the Pistons believe his weight was partly to blame came as a surprise to Duren and his camp. That claim came internally after Detroit's Game 7 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round, with league sources saying the organization privately wanted Duren to cut weight then."

Duren and the Pistons are amid a lengthy contract standoff, but a massive Thursday (11:59 p.m. ET) deadline looms on the Pistons' one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer to the center. Duren, in theory, could sign that offer and then take his chances as an unrestricted free agent next season. However, as Arthur Hill of Hoops Rumors noted, Detroit could extend the deadline. That being said, Duren would remain an RFA if the QO expires.

The Sacramento Kings and Milwaukee Bucks have interest in Duren should Detroit consider the sign-and-trade route, per Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated.

"Here's what it will take: Money, and more of it than the $200 million the Pistons are reportedly willing to pay Duren over the next five seasons. Clearly, Duren and his representatives believe there is more cash out there. Sacramento and Milwaukee have interest in Duren, a source confirmed, and likely would plus-up the offer if Detroit was willing to play ball on a sign-and-trade."

The 22-year-old Duren earned All-Star and All-NBA Third Team honors last season after averaging 19.5 points on 65.0 percent shooting and 10.5 rebounds. Detroit dominated the regular season with 60 wins, good enough for first in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

However, Duren struggled in the playoffs, which ended with the Pistons falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Duren averaged 10.5 points on 51.4 percent shooting and 8.5 boards per game.

Now the waiting game continues regarding Duren's status. In the meantime, the Pistons have started training camp without the big man as they hope to build off last year and make a deeper postseason run.