NBA Free Agency: Jose Calderon Drawing Interest From Knicks, Rockets and Hawks

March 10, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Detroit Pistons point guard Jose Calderon (8) moves the ball up court against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
March 10, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Detroit Pistons point guard Jose Calderon (8) moves the ball up court against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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March 10, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Detroit Pistons point guard Jose Calderon (8) moves the ball up court against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
March 10, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Detroit Pistons point guard Jose Calderon (8) moves the ball up court against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

NBA free agency officially began early Monday morning and already players sitting on the open market without contracts are hearing their names kicked around various rumors. One of those players is former Detroit Pistons guard Jose Calderon who is reportedly drawing interest from the Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets among other teams.

Per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon:

"The Mavs have long been intrigued by Calderon, who they discussed trading for last season. Calderon is also drawing interest from Detroit, Houston, Atlanta and New York among other teams."

Calderon came to the Pistons in the Rudy Gay trade earlier last season when the Memphis Grizzlies involved Detroit in a three team trade that saw a lot of moving parts switch teams. Calderon was one of those parts but he was sort of an afterthought in the trade headlined by Gay moving to Toronto. Now that he’s hit the open market though he’s a top name being pursued and could find himself on the receiving end of a nice contract.

The Knicks need help scoring and they need some big names on that team to help keep Carmelo Anthony happy but they might be in a pinch for cash if they want to bring back J.R. Smith. Dallas is in hot pursuit of Dwight Howard and might have to watch how much they offer Calderon while the Hawks and Rockets may end up finding room for him, even if Houston signs Dwight Howard.

Calderon isn’t going to rush to sign a deal though as more teams are expected to enter the running to sign him as free agency presses on.