The Houston Roundball Review Media Group covers sports
by: Kris Gardner. Credentialed media member since 1997. USBWA approved online journalist. Voter of Naismith, USBWA, WBHOF, and Wooden awards.

The HRR NBA Trade Analyses Archive

Isaac Austin to Clips in 3 Player Deal

February 19, 1998: "Barry to the Heat for Ike"

The Miami Heat traded C / F Ike Austin, rookie G Charles Smith, and a 1998 first round pick to the LA Clippers in exchange for G Brent Barry.

1997 - ‘98 Salaries:

Ike Austin, LAC: $384,000

Charles Smith, LAC: $619 K

Brent Barry, Miami: $1.08 M

Note:

  • Both Barry and Austin are free agents this summer.

Who got the better of the deal?

LA Clippers.

Why?

Brent told the Clips he wasn’t going to re - sign with them; so, LA made the best deal possible.

Due to salary cap rules, Miami was, in all likelihood, going to lose Austin this summer to another club; therefore, they wanted to get some compensation for him. Now, the Heat will have to hope Terry Mills can recover from injury and C Duane Causwell can finally provide capable production off the bench behind Alonzo Mourning.

With Heat F Jamal Mashburn out until the middle of April, Miami needed another scorer. Barry, 6’6, should provide that. He’s a good perimeter shooter with a lot of flair for the flamboyant pass. Heat head coach Pat Riley will probably squash that. Brent will probably back up G Voshon Lenard. One big problem Barry has: poor defense. He’ll have to take a crash course in order to make Riley happy.

Miami can re - sign Brent for any amount because he will have been in the league for 3 years. Miami needs to re - sign Barry in order for this trade to work. If they don’t, the Heat won’t have any cap flexibility to offer anyone other than the league minimum.

The Clips acquired their starting center. Now, they must re - sign Ike, 6’10, which may be difficult. They may be as much as $10 M or so under the cap to offer Austin in the summer. However, Ike may just count the days until he can leave them and play elsewhere. After all, they are the Clippers.

Smith, 6’4, the 26th pick in the Draft, rarely played in Miami. With Barry gone, he should see minutes competing against James Robinson and Eric Piatkowski at scoring guard. Charles has long arms, a decent outside shot, and he likes to play defense.