NBA: Pistons Star Uses Beer Diet To Burn Calories Before Next Season

Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons is the third heaviest player in the NBA right now, although the summer could help him burn off excess calories. And while can work off a sweat by hitting the gym, biking or jogging, an essential element of it all is to control food intake.

In an interview with the Detroit Free Press, Drummond revealed an unusual kind of beer diet that is part of his current regiment. According to the 25-year-old center, all this was part of his effort to cut red meat intake. So for him to make up for the lost calories, he drinks one beer a day. His preference for beer are Miller Lite and Corona.

“If you do it the right way, it’s actually not bad for you and that’s why I’m doing it,” said Drummond in jest.

Two other players heavier than the 9th overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft are Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans and Boban Marjanovic of the Philadelphia 76ers. He is coming off his best season with the Pistons, averaging 17.3 points and 15.6 rebounds in 79 games. If successful, it will be interesting how a trimmed down Drummond would fare for the coming 2019-20 NBA season as the Pistons try to improve on their 41-41 record and first-round playoff exit.

After recently declining the USA Basketball invite, Drummond will obviously have all the time to get himself to slim down. Like several other stars, the 6-foot-11 cager has opted to focus on the coming season where trimming down could be one of the goals he has set. And looking further ahead, he does have plenty of reason to improve on his 2018-19 NBA season performance. He previously represented Team USA at the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.

In another report from the Detroit Free Press, Drummond owns a player option next NBA season. He can opt-out of the $28 million deal he is due and become an unrestricted free agent. If he continues performing well, all this could also be part of a plan for Drummond to angle for a contract extension.

Apparently, Drummond's status will be another sidelight for the 2019-20 NBA wars. The Pistons will need to keep track of it and decide on whether to hand him a contract extension or wait until the summer. That could be a big risk although dependent on how well the New York native performs in the early goings of the coming NBA season.