DeMarre Carroll joins the coaching staff

Carroll has spent two seasons as an assistant coach.

The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to add new voices as DeMarre Carroll enters the fray as an assistant coach. Carroll has served as an assistant under Mike Budenholzer and Darvin Harm — and now joins Kenny Atkinson in Cleveland per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Carroll spent 11 seasons in the NBA and previously played for Atkinson when he was an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks and head coach for the Brooklyn Nets. Their prior connection is something that could bring stability through considerable changes for the Cavaliers. In addition to replacing J.B. Bickerstaff as head coach, the Cavs have now added Carroll and Jordan Ott as assistants.

Cavs fans will remember Carroll for his time with the Hawks and Toronto Raptors, serving as the gritty wing defender who accepted the challenge of defending (or attempting to defend) LeBron James throughout numerous playoff battles.

The Cavaliers seem reluctant to rock the boat with any major changes to the roster this summer. That means the front office still believes this group has untapped potential. A fresh approach from the coaching staff is one way to reach whatever potential the core of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen still possess. Player development and establishing a free-flowing offense will be points of emphasis for Carroll and the coaching staff he joins.