DeMarre Carroll announced on Twitter on Monday that he has decided to join the Toronto Raptors. Reports are saying that the deal is for four years and $60 million. Carroll played the last two seasons with the Atlanta Hawks and blossomed into an essential piece for the team as a tremendous defender. He finally developed a consistent three-point shot that he didn’t have when entered the NBA and broke out in the Eastern Conference playoffs. His injury was the biggest reason why the the Hawks lost in the Eastern Conference finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The greatest thing about Carroll joining the Raptors is that he can be effective without the ball in his hands. With the Raptors’ trio of Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and Lou Williams, all being most successful with the ball in their hands, adding Carroll will allow those guys to penetrate and kick out to Carroll, who shot just short of 40 percent from three-point land for the Hawks last season.

Defensively, Carroll finally gives the Raptors a legitimate wing-defender who can match up with the likes of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors have never had the type of length and athleticism on the wing that Carroll brings, and his presence could turn them into one of the biggest threats to the Cavaliers in the East.

I believe Carroll is just scratching the surface of his abilities, and he’s primed to take his game to the next level. While many will look at the money he’s receiving and believe the Raptors overpaid for him, by the end of his contract, I believe Carroll will have proven to be one of the biggest steals of this entire offseason.

Jason Fletcher is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google+.