Kaut's Realignment Thoughts: The ACC May Unleash Chaos

The NBA has entered the player empowerment era. Anthony Davis got New Orleans to trade him with two years left on his deal because he wanted to go to Los Angeles. James Harden forced his way to Brooklyn, then to Philly. The mantra: If a player wants to be traded, even the longest contract means nothing. 

Welcome to the school empowerment era of realignment. Many analysts suspect that a long contract guarantees a school's tied to a league.