Sportsline Heat Team Report

[John Lyell <Jlyell@concentric.net>]

Here is some good info from the Miami's  team report



Miami

GETTING INSIDE

When Isaac Austin and Eric Murdock become free agents July 1, every team 
under the salary cap will be allowed to offer them more money than Miami, 
which is restricted by two provisions in the collective bargaining 
agreement.

"We're hoping against hope this insanity stops," said Keith Glass, who 
represents Murdock. "You pay a guy 18 million a year and you can't keep 
your third guard. There is something wrong with that system. It's a stupid 
system."

Austin has been impressive in Alonzo Mourning's absence and has teams 
lining up to make him offers. Murdock has become a vital player down the 
stretch of close games.

"When you develop a young player, he comes in at low money ... we've really 
got our backs against the wall," Heat coach Pat Riley said. "There has to 
be an adjustment there."

Austin can only re-sign for 108 percent of the average salary (the Early 
Bird exception), plus 20 percent increases. The average salary will be 
about $2.5 million this season, which means the Heat could offer Austin a 
six-year deal (players cannot be signed beyond their 35th birthday, Austin 
will be 29 next summer) for $22.5 million, an average of $3.75 million per 
year.

Murdock, who makes the minimum of $272,250, can re-sign for $326,700 (the 
non-Bird exception).

Austin could sign for two years then re-sign for any amount and Murdock 
could sign for one year then re-sign under the Early Bird exception. But 
both players will have to take less money to stay with Miami. Murdock said 
he's willing. Austin won't say.

"This is not the time for me to be thinking about it but when I do I'll 
pick the best situation for myself and my career," said Austin, who is in 
the final year of a two year contract that paid him $320,000 last year and 
$384,000 this season. "I hope I can come back to this team. This is a team 
on the rise. I've been groomed in this system. I know this system."

Those general managers polled said Austin should receive offers that 
average at least $5 million a year. Austin's agent, Paco Belassen, said 
Austin is "priceless."

Even that number could be low, considering that Travis Knight signed with 
Boston for $22 million over seven years and Seattle's Jim McIlvaine is 
averaging $4.8 million. Also, with all the top centers signed to long-term 
deals, Austin's main competition in the free agent market next summer is 
Charlotte's Matt Geiger and Vlade Divac and Orlando's Rony Seikaly.

"Our only choice is to hope," Heat General Manager Randy Pfund said. "You 
want him to play well, you want him to help you, but you hope you can put a 
long-term deal together."

Miami's other choice is to package Austin with a higher priced player in a 
trade. The Heat could not trade Austin alone and receive equal value 
because of his contract.

Glass advises his clients to take the best offer, but said the decision 
will be Murdock's.

"I want this to be my last stop," said Murdock, 29. "Hopefully it will work 
out here. I'm happy with my role. But there are options you have to look 
at."