The Nets' provisional trade with the Raptors for DeMarre Carroll plus first- and second-round picks in the 2018 draft became official on Thursday, the team announced.
The deal had been contingent on the availability of the Nets' salary-cap space, which was tied up because of their previous offer to restricted free agent Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. The Wizards matched the Nets' offer but were able to tie up $24.77 million of their cap space until Porter passed a physical and the Wizards officially decided not to withdraw the match.
Once the money was freed up at midnight Wednesday, the Nets could complete the trade with Toronto. Carroll has two years worth $30.2 million left on his contract, and though the Nets sent Justin Hamilton to the Raptors as part of the deal, their cap space was reduced from about $30 million to just under $17 million because of Carroll's contract.
Now, the Nets are free to jump back into the free-agent market if they wish. The addition of small forward Carroll adds to the glut of perimeter players on their roster, so it's more likely the Nets will look for a power forward or center with three-point shooting range.
They reportedly have some interest in Grizzlies restricted free-agent power forward JaMychal Green, but after going 0 for 4 in offer sheets to restricted free agents, it's uncertain whether Nets general manager Sean Marks would go that route again.
When asked about it, Marks smiled and said, "Never say never."
Carroll figures to come in and compete for the starting small forward job with second-year man Caris LeVert. Nets coach Kenny Atkinson has a good relationship with Carroll from their days together with the Hawks. Last season, Carroll averaged 8.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals with the Raptors.
