The Toronto Raptors surprised many around the league on Wednesday as they agreed to a four-year, $60 million deal with with DeMarre Carroll. The Raptors desperately need someone with Carroll's skill-set, so adding him to the team was a must. From Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca:

"The Raptors had room under the cap this summer — they have the potential to free up $23 million if free agent Lou Williams signs elsewhere or they renounce his rights, and if Amir Johnson signs with the Boston Celtics, as reported — but with all the money coming into the system a year from now, nearly every team in the league will have money to burn and more to spend a year later. Their time was now. In that context, paying an elite role player like Carroll $15 million a year now makes more sense. So-called ‘bad’ contracts in the past were deals that prevented teams from adding talent because they clogged up their payroll. With more money coming on stream there is much less risk of that. Carroll’s contract won’t prevent the Raptors from making further moves in the future. As well, Carroll’s number will become more proportionate over time. By the time he’s heading into the final year of his deal, stars like LeBron James or Steph Curry will be earning more than $30 million a year. And if things don’t work out? Trading a contract like Carroll’s won’t be difficult."