"While a single collective-bargaining agreement will emerge from the NBA lockout, it is becoming evident that a dual set of operational rules will be in place, one for teams operating below the luxury tax and another for those operating above.

Stay below and flexibility, salary-cap exceptions and greater access to the free-agent and trade markets will remain in place.

Operate above and you had better be content with what is in place on your roster, because it won't be getting much better.

Which (as always) brings us to the Heat."