The Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors have both made big moves this offseason, adding new talent to climb up the Eastern Conference. One deal was even struck between the two, a trade that saw the Raptors send DeMarre Carroll and draft picks to Brooklyn in exchange for Justin Hamilton. The move was mostly done with the salary cap in mind for Toronto as all they were looking to do was shed Carroll’s contract.
While he may not be worth his current contract, Carroll still seems capable of holding down a starting role and making an impact as a role player, something he largely failed to do during his unsuccessful stint in Toronto.
When asked about it, Carroll says he expects his game to fit better with the Nets, citing the Raptors’ tendency to play ball-stopping basketball. Following from Brian Lewis of The New York Post:
Carroll, who will make $30 million over the next two seasons, admitted he wasn’t fit for Toronto’s isolation-heavy offense, that he is a role player at his best when his team moves the ball.
“Yeah, that’s definitely fair to say. I had my share of iso already, so team-ball is my forte,” said Carroll, who said it was effective with Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. “You got two great All-Stars, two great players. That’s how they play. They were playing that way before I came, and they’re going to be playing that way long after I leave. They’re not changing that for me…”
“I give credit to Masai: He helped me find a team,’’ Carroll said. “Me coming from a system in Atlanta where the team is about moving the ball, we felt like it wasn’t a fit. I’m not an iso player by any means. I’m definitely a role player and for me to be the best role player I need to be on a team that shares the ball.
Just a couple years ago, DeMarre Carroll was considered as one of the better 3-and-D players in the NBA but his value has fallen off significantly. Carroll has never been a shot creator but Toronto was filled with them in guards Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Their tendency to play iso-ball didn’t always mesh well with Carroll’s spot up ability. Look for Carroll to make much more of an impact in Brooklyn where he could thrive.
