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Raptors: 3 veteran free agents who could help Toronto right now

By Mike Luciano

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Kyle Korver #26 of the Milwaukee Bucks (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Kyle Korver #26 of the Milwaukee Bucks (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 20: DeMarre Carroll #77 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena on November 20, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

2. DeMarre Carroll

Raptors fans might not have much appreciation for Carroll, as he played just two subpar seasons in Toronto after signing a hefty contract on the back of his success in Atlanta. However, Carroll was traded from Toronto to the, at the time, hilariously inept Brooklyn Nets, where he averaged 12.3 points per game as both a starter and reserve.

Carroll was both a quality post scorer and deadeye from beyond the arc in Brooklyn, evidence that Kenny Atkinson helped expand his offensive game and make him a more complete player. Though Carroll is getting a little long in the tooth, he might be worth bringing back to Toronto, as he could fill a variety of roles on both ends of the floor for a Raptors team that is currently leaking coolant and watching their postseason chances slip away.

His offensive improvement is all well and good, but Carroll’s ability to shut things down on the defensive end has helped him carve out an 11-year NBA career. Able to guard bigger guards on the wing, use his muscle and tenacity to play as a power forward on both offense and defense, and even operate as a small-ball center should the need arise, Carroll offers positional versatility and skill on both ends of the floor that normally doesn’t remain on the free-agent market until January. Caroll can overwrite some bad memories in Toronto by rejoining the Raptors as a veteran leader off the bench behind Pascal Siakam and getting this team back on track as they hunt for a postseason spot.