Today the Toronto Raptors have announced small forward DeMarre Carroll will miss significant time after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.
The Raptors haven’t set a time table for Carroll’s return, as it looks like the small forward will miss a large amount of the season.
Carroll is a vital member of the Raptors starting five, and his absence will leave the Raptors short of quality on both ends of the court. Carroll suffered injury issues earlier this season, the forward missed nine games in December alone with plantar fascitis.
Carroll has averaged 11.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game this season. Solid numbers for a player who appeared after last season (with the Atlanta Hawks) to be entering his prime as an NBA player. Carroll is a 6 year veteran in the league.
The Raptors will be hoping these knee issues Carroll is suffering, with will not become a permanent problem. Especially after Carroll signed a $60 Million deal in this summer free-agency period. Toronto signed Carroll in the off-season as a free agent. He was a huge part of Masai Ujiri’s plan to improve the team’s defense this season.
The Raptors need Carroll if they want to chase down the Cleveland Cavaliers atop of the conference. The Raptors are currently standing fourth in the Eastern Conference and are four games back of the first place Cavaliers. The Cavaliers beat the Raptors earlier in the week.
Main Photo: Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll, left, has been playing through plantar fasciitis early in the NBA season. His status is uncertain for Sunday’s game in Miami. Photo by Jerome Miron / USA Today sports
