Will Demarre Carroll Stay with Hawks or Leave for Big Contract?

Atlanta Hawks Forward DeMarre Carroll is an unrestricted free-agent and is expected to receive offers from numerous teams in the NBA. Carroll is expected to be offered a four-year contract worth around $50 million. Some teams may offer Carroll up to $15 million a year. Carroll averaged 12.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals this season. Carroll is the Hawks best perimeter defender and takes pride in playing defense.

If the Hawks lose Carroll to free agency, they will need to draft or sign a Small Forward to replace him. Thabo Sefolosha is the Hawks backup Small Forward and suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Hopefully the injury doesn’t slow down Thabo when he returns, he is a good perimeter defender like Carroll and he isn’t an offense threat to anyone. The Hawks had a 43-9 record in the 52 games that Thabo appeared in and he made a defense impact while on the floor.

Carroll is 28 years-old and this is his last chance to get a big paycheck in the NBA. The Hawks have the 15th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and should be able to draft a Small Forward that can come in and play right away. Hopefully, Carroll remains with the Hawks and they can sign a key free-agent that can provide more offense for the team. Free agency begins July 1st and it would be nice if Carroll picks winning over a big contract with a team with a losing record.

Photo credit: AJC