"The Thursday trade that moved Sacramento's Omri Casspi to Cleveland for J.J. Hickson hardly changes the NBA's balance of power.

But it could change the face of free agency.

With the Kings adding a rebounding element at the cost of a shooting element, potential Heat target Samuel Dalembert apparently will be moving on.

At least that's the take at SI.com, which, in the story detailing the Kings' acquisition of Hickson, notes:

"The move is even more necessary in light of the likely departure of center Samuel Dalembert, as sources close to him say he was disappointed when extension talks went nowhere with the Kings and he is now far more interested signing with a contender in free agency."

When it comes to the Heat, the issue, of course, will be how interested in contending is Dalembert?

No matter the rules of the new collective-bargaining agreement, the Heat would not have much to offer, less than almost any other pursuer.

Whether Dalembert is a significant enough upgrade at center is another question.

In a typical year, the Heat would be able to get their answer soon enough, able to initiate contact on July 1.

But this, of course, is no typical year."