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Portland Trail Blazers: 10 bargain basement free agents

By Stevie Cozens

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 24: Dion Waiters #11 of the Miami Heat in action against the LA Clippers during the first half at American Airlines Arena on January 24, 2020 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 24: Dion Waiters #11 of the Miami Heat in action against the LA Clippers during the first half at American Airlines Arena on January 24, 2020 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Portland Trail Blazers bargain basement free agent seven – DeMarre Carroll

If the Portland Trail Blazers want a combo forward with significant playoff experience, then DeMarre Carroll could be their man.

Though the San Antonio Spurs cut him after just 15 games, Carroll is a rare commodity in the NBA; a combo forward who can guard other forwards and shoot the three at around league average.

Carroll didn’t fit in on the Spurs, but they rightly let him go in the 2019/20 season, where he then joined the Houston Rockets, quickly doubling his minutes total and production.

Carroll is 34, but as a shooting forward, he could be a candidate on a one-year deal for a team like the Blazers. He is great at drawing fouls and has always been an excellent offensive rebounder for his position.

Carroll’s last full NBA year was 2018/19. That was his second for the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets, but he was a key part of the feelgood story where the Nets made an unlikely run to the playoffs.

In 140 games, he averaged 12.3 points and 5.9 rebounds in 140 games, shooting 35.8 percent from three.

Though he is more of a four than a three these days, I like him as a bench option who can guard the bigger forwards of the league and some threes.

Carroll’s market is also likely to be at the minimum, or maybe slightly above. At 34, a one-year minimum deal could provide value for the team and give him a chance to show he can still play a role in the league.