DeMarre Carroll is active for Raptors for the first time in 41 games

Toronto Raptors small forward DeMarre Carroll is back in the team’s active lineup after missing half the season.

Reports of DeMarre Carroll’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. The Toronto Raptors made a big splash in the offseason when they signed the Atlanta Hawks’ small forward to a four-year, $60 million deal but to say his first season has gone poorly is putting it lightly. He has missed 41 games, literally half of the season, and has had to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery, but the Raptors medical staff have now confirmed that he has been promoted to the active roster.

This move comes before the team faces the Hawks in Atlanta. It’s a welcome sight for the Raptors to see him come back before the playoffs. They’ve been playing just fine without him, having jumped to second in the East and three games back of the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, having him at the small forward position rather than Norman Powell will be a big help, especially if they have to face Paul George and the Indiana Pacers in the first round.

This is the perfect time to ease Carroll back into the lineup. While Dwane Casey didn’t indicate whether he would play tonight, one has to think he was foaming at the mouth at the prospect of getting to play against his former team in his first game back.

If he doesn’t play tonight, his chance will come soon. The Raptors have a very easy schedule to wrap up the season, with the last three games coming against the New York Knicks, Philadelpha 76ers, and Brooklyn Nets. The team is likely to rest their regular starters meaning that he’s bound to get significant minutes in games they’re almost sure to win anyway.

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