NBA free agency rumors: Detroit Pistons heavily pursuing Andre Iguodala

The Detroit Pistons are going to aggressively chase Andre Iguodala in free agency, according to David Aldridge. Iguodala became a free agent when he opted out of the final year of his contract with the Denver Nuggets, which would have been worth $15.9 million.

Detroit has more than $20 million in cap space and is interested in both Iguodala and Josh Smith. The Pistons drafted Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in last week's NBA Draft, but still have a gaping hole at small forward after trading Tayshaun Prince to Memphis in February. The 29-year-old Iguodala could fill it.

Smith is unlikely to re-sign with the Atlanta Hawks this summer, giving the Pistons another option besides Iguodala. The Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks are expected to chase Smith as well so Detroit will have to convince either Iguoldala or Smith that the team is in a place to improve on last year's 29-53 season.

The Nuggets are expected to do their best to re-sign Iguodala and are sending new head head Brian Shaw and other team officials to Los Angeles to meet with him. Iguodala said that he wanted to re-evaluate what he thought of Denver after they fired head coach George Karl last month, and Shaw has a good reputation among NBA players and could entice Iguodala to stay with the Nuggets.

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