The Toronto Raptors will have to wait a while longer for the fully healthy version of DeMarre Carroll.
Raptors head coach Dwane Casey told reporters Monday that Carroll will have his minutes monitored for the upcoming season as his knee is still not 100 percent healed.
Carroll followed up by clarifying that there's no longer any swelling after taking the summer off to rehab.
A nagging injury held Carroll to only 26 appearances last season. At first the team hoped rest would heal his condition, but he struggled upon his return and eventually underwent arthroscopic surgery on his troublesome right knee.
Although he was noticeably hobbled, Carroll would return for the Raptors' playoff push to help the team make its first-ever appearance in the conference finals.
The Raptors signed Carroll to a four-year, $60-million contract last summer. He averaged 11 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 steals while shooting 39 percent from deep in his first season, although his top-notch defense and finishing around the basket took a noticeable dip from his time in Atlanta.
Carroll is expected to fill in as the Raptors' starting small forward while also logging some time as a small-ball four in certain lineups.
