Logan: DeMarre Carroll’s agent says Nets not trying to trade his client

With all the speculation about Nets trade possibilities —the deadline is two weeks from Thursday— one name that keeps coming up is that of DeMarre Carroll. The 6’8” forward is having arguably his best season at 31, making him an ideal candidate for a trade involving a contender.

But, hold your horses. Carroll loves it in Brooklyn and Mark Bartlestein, his agent, tells Greg Logan of Newsday that he “knows” the Nets are marketing his client.

“I’m sure there’s a lot of teams interested in DeMarre,” Bartlestein told Logan. “He affects the game in a lot of different ways, and a lot of people would love to have him. But I know Sean Marks and Kenny (Atkinson) value him big-time.

“I know for sure they’re not trying to trade him. There’s always conversations around the league and anything can happen, but I know the Brooklyn Nets put a great value on DeMarre . . . I want to make sure people realize that.”

Indeed, there were reports out of ESPN a few weeks ago that the Pistons and Pelicans might be interested. Carroll himself is appreciative of all the attention and speculation. After all, it was only six months ago that the Raptors dumped him in a trade, thinking he was done. They even attached first and second round picks to sweeten the deal.

“I’m old enough now that rumors are rumors and you don’t pay a lot of attention to it,” Carroll told Newsday before Tuesday’s loss in Oklahoma City. “You could take it positive either way. I could look at last year when I was injured and I didn’t have a great year in Toronto, I was considered a salary dump. Now, this year you’ve got a number of teams that really want me.

“But at the end of the day, I’m trying to help build a culture here, help these young guys. They look at me like a bigger brother. But it’s a business and I’m just trying to compete and play my best basketball.”

What about the other rumors, that the Nets might trade players who they developed to essentially take some profits from all of that investment. There’s been speculation and punditry about Joe Harris, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, or even Spencer Dinwiddie.

Atkinson admits it’s possible. As Marks told WFAN last week, the Nets still have a “long, long way to go” in their rebuild.

“Every case that’s presented, we have a group discussion about it and talk about it,” he said. “We value continuity, but we also understand we need to improve. A lot of that is on [general manager Sean Mark’s] shoulders, thank God.

“But we talk constantly and talk about those things. They’re never easy decisions when it comes down to having to deal a guy that you don’t want to let go because you’ve had him and he’s developed. But we also understand we need to get better.”

So far, the Nets have made eight trades since Marks took over nearly two years ago, including deals at both trade deadlines and draft nights that he’s been in charge. The Nets have come away with three first rounders, four second rounders and three former lottery picks as well Allen Crabbe and some “salary dumps,” including, ironically, Carroll.

Oh, one thing, Marks has a habit of completing his deals close to the deadline.

• DeMarre Carroll goes from unwanted to sought-after player - Greg Logan - Newsday
• DeMarre Carroll can turn into a two-way Nets trade coup - Brian Lewis - New York Post