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ATLANTA — Hawks swingman DeMarre Carroll, one of the unsung free agents on an unsung team, is not afraid of the big stage and revealed the Knicks will be a strong option for him in July.

The 6-foot-8 Carroll, who plays small forward but often defends shooting guards, is a candidate for one of the All-Defensive teams. He calls himself “Junkyard Dog.’’ He’s from Birmingham, Ala., but has no qualms about playing in New York, saying he knows coach Derek Fisher from working out with him in Woodland Hills, Calif., a few years ago.

According to a source, Fisher is high on Carroll, who had 16 points, four rebounds and three assists on Monday, and the defensive approach he brings to the court.

“Most definitely,’’ Carroll said when asked if the Knicks would be a high consideration.“When guys talk about playing in certain places — they talk about Madison Square Garden and Staples Center. Those two places. New York has a lot to offer but at the end of the season, I’ll let my agent do that. We’ll keep our options and hopefully it will work out for the best.’’

Carroll, who could be had for a starting salary in the $5 million range, has bounced around a lot, playing in Memphis, Houston, Denver and Utah before finding a solid fit in Atlanta’s defensive-oriented program under Coach of the Year candidate Mike Buldenhozer. Carroll says defense is important to him.

Carroll, the 27th pick by the Grizzlies in 2009, says he persevered and Fisher was a past source of encouragement during their workouts.

“Man, I just think it was about opportunity, understanding who you are and bettering yourself,’’ Carroll said. “Three things I focused on. I stayed true to who I was. That’s being a junkyard dog, doing the nitty-gritty things. Once I figured out the gritty work on defense will get me on the court, then I started working on my offensive game. It happened for a reason. If I could tell any of the young guys, stay true to who you are. Everyone wants to be the Kobe [Bryant] and Lebron James but you got to know your role.’’

Carroll’s agent is Mark Bartelstein, who represents three current Knicks — Tim Hardaway Jr., Lou Amundson and Jason Smith.

“My biggest thing is coming in and doing what I do and show people what I can do,’’ said Carroll, who entered Monday averaging 12.4 points, 5.4 rebounds on 49 percent shooting. “I think the team’s been winning and I’ve been playing my part. Basically being a junkyard dog. Free agency, that’s still a long ways. We’re trying to go deep in the postseason. My main focus is to go deep.’’

Fisher said he was close with Atlanta guard Thabo Sefolosha, who suffered a season-ending broken leg after a scuffle with police in the aftermath of last week’s Chris Copeland stabbing. Sefolosha and teammate Pero Antic were arrested afterward outside a Chelsea club. According to a source, the Players Association feels it has a good case that police were overly aggressive.

“That’s a key guy this team will miss,’’ said Fisher, who played with Sefolosha with the Thunder. “I’m disappointed for him and his family that it happened. It’s very unfortunate. There’ll be an investigation and we’ll find out later down the line what happened.”

Fisher on Atlanta’s turnaround from slipping into the playoffs last season as eighth seed to being No. 1 this season: “This doesn’t happen overnight. A lot of decisions have taken place we don’t even know about. It does happen with intention and purpose. A year ago, they made comments they aren’t celebrating, squeezing into the eighth spot. You could tell they weren’t satisfied.’’

PandaKidd wrote:History proves its all about the $$. Usually. A guy like DMC will join a horrid team if its 1-3 million more

Jamaaliver wrote:Yeah, for a guy like Demarre who's bounced around the league for years...I see him chasing that payday. it's his one chance in life to really gain financial stability for the rest of his days.

One guy who could be a solid, affordable replacement on a two-year deal ala DMC: Wes Matthews.

RIP mentioned him in the past, and with his recent injury I think he could be had on a reasonable rate. He definitely has the skillset to play next to Teague, KK or Dennis.

DMC has earned the right to chase the dollars. Let's give him a hell of a send off first!

ATLHawksfan21 wrote:

PandaKidd wrote:History proves its all about the $$. Usually. A guy like DMC will join a horrid team if its 1-3 million more

The history of the Spurs says differently.

Much has been said about the Spursian culture that Budenholzer has built and the rapport that he has developed with his players.

Bud's rapport with the players + our style of play should = a greater chance that players will be willing to take somewhat of a discount to stay here.

Rip2137 wrote:

Jamaaliver wrote:Yeah, for a guy like Demarre who's bounced around the league for years...I see him chasing that payday. it's his one chance in life to really gain financial stability for the rest of his days.

One guy who could be a solid, affordable replacement on a two-year deal ala DMC: Wes Matthews.

RIP mentioned him in the past, and with his recent injury I think he could be had on a reasonable rate. He definitely has the skillset to play next to Teague, KK or Dennis.

DMC has earned the right to chase the dollars. Let's give him a hell of a send off first!

I think Matthews, even with the injury will command more than DMC who will easily get 8-9 in the open market.

But I am extremely high on Matthews. I would give Portland Korver for him in a second and you guys know how I love Kyle.

Rip2137 wrote:If anyone offers him 10(and they might. Kris Humphries got 10) then he will definitely leave. The idea of "can't attract free agents" is silly. If you offer significantly more money than anyone else you are going to get the guy 9 out of 10 times.

PMOTT3 wrote:

Rip2137 wrote:

Jamaaliver wrote:Yeah, for a guy like Demarre who's bounced around the league for years...I see him chasing that payday. it's his one chance in life to really gain financial stability for the rest of his days.

One guy who could be a solid, affordable replacement on a two-year deal ala DMC: Wes Matthews.

RIP mentioned him in the past, and with his recent injury I think he could be had on a reasonable rate. He definitely has the skillset to play next to Teague, KK or Dennis.

DMC has earned the right to chase the dollars. Let's give him a hell of a send off first!

I think Matthews, even with the injury will command more than DMC who will easily get 8-9 in the open market.

But I am extremely high on Matthews. I would give Portland Korver for him in a second and you guys know how I love Kyle.

Are we talking about pre-injury Matthews or after-injury Matthews?

Jamaaliver wrote:

Rip2137 wrote:If anyone offers him 10(and they might. Kris Humphries got 10) then he will definitely leave. The idea of "can't attract free agents" is silly. If you offer significantly more money than anyone else you are going to get the guy 9 out of 10 times.

With the tenth time being the Atlanta Hawks...

Rip2137 wrote:Nope...still applies to is. If we offered Pau Gasol 16 million to come here he would have come here. If we offered Deng 18 million, he would have come here...simple as that.