Everything happens for a reason. It's simply how it is in life, and more so in the NBA. In fact, even the smallest moments can send out the biggest ripples. For this piece, let's take a look at 20 NBA ‘What-If' scenarios that would have changed league history.
Los Angeles Lakers successfully trade for Chris Paul
To this day, Purple and Gold fans remain upset about how the trade for Chris Paul fell through. The three-team trade involved the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, and New Orleans Hornets, a team that was temporarily bought by the NBA to find a new owner. The Lakers basically planned to surrender key veterans Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom to acquire CP3 from the Hornets. On the other hand, Kevin Martin, Luis Scola, Goran Dragic, and a first-round pick would end up in Houston. As the NBA commissioner at the time, David Stern voided the trade simply because it would alter the league's competitive balance, amid protests from other team owners.
The vetoed trade basically ended the momentum of the Kobe Bryant-led Lakers, who were relatively fresh from a back-to-back championship run. The failure to pair CP3 with Bryant most likely prevented the Black Mamba from adding more rings to his collection. Los Angeles pivoted by pairing him with Dwight Howard and Steve Nash, propelling the franchise into a disastrous chapter. To make matters worse, Bryant's body eventually gave out from carrying the team, after suffering a torn Achilles that opened the door for Father Time.
Len Bias plays in the NBA
Months after winning the NBA championship in the midst of their dynasty run in the 80s, the Boston Celtics wanted to get their hands on the best prospect available. Fresh from a dominant showing at the University of Maryland, the Celtics drafted Len Bias with the first overall pick of the 1986 NBA Draft. Bias was expected to dominate the NBA and become the face of Boston in the years to come, especially as Larry Bird entered the twilight of his career.
Unfortunately, Bias' NBA journey came to an end before it even began. A drug overdose led to his passing, just 48 hours after he was drafted into the league. The former Terrapins star became the highest draft pick to never play in the NBA. This prevented the Celtics from extending their dynasty. But more importantly, it left Michael Jordan without a worthy adversary. Had Bias played, Jordan might've continued to be tormented by the Celtics, making his path to a pair of three-peats much more difficult.
Drazen Petrovic doesn't get into a car crash
Well before the influx of international stars in the NBA today, it was quite rare to see a European star establish himself in both the NBA and international competitions. However, that was the case for All-NBA guard and two-time Olympic medalist Drazen Petrovic. Petrovic's hot shooting elevated the New Jersey Nets to new heights. Unfortunately, a car accident during his prime changed everything.
With Petrovic's unexpected passing, the Nets never fully became a legitimate threat in the East capable of slowing down Michael Jordan and the Bulls. And on a larger scale, the entry of international players into the league was likely delayed, given that Petrovic's rise came to a halt.
Stephen Curry gets drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves
Stephen Curry is arguably the best shooter in NBA history. He's also the only player to convert at least 4,000 three-pointers in his career. With a player of his caliber, it remains a head-scratcher that he fell all the way to seventh in the 2009 NBA Draft. Nonetheless, the Minnesota Timberwolves probably carry the most regrets given that they had the fifth and sixth picks.
The Timberwolves ended up drafting Spanish prospect Ricky Rubio and Syracuse star Johnny Flynn. Flynn initially had an explosive rookie season, but a hip injury basically derailed his career. On the other hand, as great a passer Rubio was, his offensive arsenal never really expanded, preventing him from pushing Minnesota to the next level. Had the Wolves drafted Curry, things would've been quite different.
Perhaps Minnesota could've enjoyed at least one championship by now. While the franchise remains winless, Curry would go on to collect two NBA MVPs, four NBA championships and a Finals MVP with the Golden State Warriors.
Kobe Bryant stays put in Charlotte
Considered to be one of the biggest draft day trades in NBA history, the Charlotte Hornets drafted Kobe Bryant at the 1996 NBA Draft with the 13th overall pick. Shortly after, the Hornets traded Bryant to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for All-Star center Vlade Divac. Had the trade not happened, Charlotte might've had more competitive runs in the East. Furthermore, a relocation probably wouldn't be under consideration, given that Bryant would've been a solid star attraction for ticket sales.
On the other hand, if the Lakers hadn't acquired the Black Mamba, the three-peat dynasty featuring a Shaq-Kobe duo wouldn't have happened. The pair of back-to-back championship runs in 2009 and 2010 also wouldn't have happened. It's also possible that Bryant wouldn't have won five NBA rings in his career.
Portland Trail Blazers select Michael Jordan
The 1984 NBA Draft Class was stacked with talent across the board, with Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon becoming the most successful players. However, there's no question that among the teams in the draft, the Portland Trail Blazers probably carry the biggest regret. Portland opted to select Sam Bowie with the second overall pick. Unfortunately, injuries haunted Bowie throughout his career, and he never panned out in the NBA. On the other hand, the Chicago Bulls selected Michael Jordan third overall, and the franchise went on to win six NBA championships.
Had Jordan been selected by the Blazers, things would've been very different. The Bulls dynasty would never have formed, erasing the six-peat from the history books and the historic 72-win season. On the other hand, the Blazers would've enjoyed a superstar duo of MJ and Clyde Drexler in the backcourt that would have dominated the West.
The Golden State Warriors never take a chance on Draymond Green
It's safe to say that Draymond Green is one of the best second-round picks in NBA history. As a 6-foot-6 power forward out of Michigan State, despite his all-around prowess, teams were reluctant to select him given his undersized nature. However, the Golden State Warriors selected him 35th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, and the rest is history.
Had Golden State passed him up, the Warriors probably don't have their last four championship banners in the rafters. Furthermore, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers probably win three more championships. And for Green, had he not ended up in Golden State, teams wouldn't have been able to properly develop his unique skill set.
Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant don't get injured at the 2019 NBA Finals
The 2018-19 season saw the Golden State Warriors become closer than ever to clinch the first three-peat since the Los Angeles Lakers from 2000 to 2002. And with a loaded Warriors squad led by Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, the team was a well-oiled machine until they reached the 2019 NBA Finals.
Pitted against Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors, the defending champions had more talent on paper to overpower the Eastern Conference champions. However, a torn Achilles to Kevin Durant and a torn ACL to Klay Thompson left Golden State in a vulnerable position, which Toronto capitalized on to win the title that year.
Golden State would've rewritten the history books had their pair of All-Stars stayed healthy. Stephen Curry could've earned his first Finals MVP and collected another championship. On the other hand, the Raptors wouldn't have earned their first championship. Also, the narrative behind Leonard's dramatic chain of events since leaving the San Antonio Spurs would've been seen in a different light.
Ray Allen misses the game-tying shot in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals
There's not a lot of NBA plays that altered the course of NBA history. However, Ray Allen's three-point shot heard around the world in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals clearly defined the legacies of various players. As we all know, Allen converted a game-tying three-pointer to extend the series to seven games, paving the way for the Miami Heat to clinch the back-to-back at the expense of the San Antonio Spurs.
If Allen missed the shot, the trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh would've been branded as underwhelming after promising multiple championships in South Beach. James, in particular, would have one championship less. On the other hand, the Spurs could've extended their dynasty in a more dominant fashion, while Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich would've preserved their perfect records in the NBA Finals, increasing their championship tally to six.
Derrick Rose never tears his ACL
In 2011, Derrick Rose was named the youngest player to be crowned NBA MVP. Just about a year later, Rose's career came crashing down to earth. Up big late in what was already a sure win in Game 1 of the first round against the Philadelphia 76ers, the former NBA MVP tore his ACL in garbage time. Since then, Rose was never the same. Although he was able to extend his NBA career as a reliable sixth man off the bench, the knee injury pretty much derailed his rise to superstardom.
Had Rose been healthy, the Chicago Bulls would've been in the best position to recapture their glory days since the Michael Jordan era. Furthermore, the Bulls would've had more opportunities to deny the Miami Heatles from winning championships. Not to mention, more chances as well to prevent LeBron James from making it to the NBA Finals for eight consecutive seasons.
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal never had a falling out
The Los Angeles Lakers fanbase celebrated when they snatched up Shaquille O'Neal in free agency, then acquired Kobe Bryant in the 1996 NBA Draft. The pairing would easily take over the NBA, dominating the league for three straight championships. But despite their dominance on the court, tensions eventually flared, and both Bryant and O'Neal could no longer play together. This forced Los Angeles to ship away the Big Diesel to the Miami Heat.
As a result, fans could only salivate over the possibilities if the duo had not imploded. There's no question that the duo's impact, had they stayed intact, would've reeled in more gold for the franchise, given that both players continued to win championships after their stint together. In fact, one might even argue that they had the tools to replicate the success of Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls.
Tim Duncan takes his talents to the Orlando Magic
Tim Duncan was the centerpiece of the San Antonio Spurs dynasty, anchoring the franchise across different decades. However, there was a time when Duncan nearly played for another team. After helping the Spurs win a championship in 1999, free agency the following year nearly lured the Big Fundamental to Orlando. Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady were considering making a big three, with the Spurs' towering forward in mind. However, that fell through when Duncan found out that the then-Magic head coach, Doc Rivers, didn't allow players' families to join them on flights.
A big three in Orlando would've altered the landscape in the NBA, especially in the East. The Magic were still rebuilding from Shaquille O'Neal's dramatic exit. Having Duncan, McGrady, and Hill would've easily injected some excitement back into Orlando. But at the same time, the Spurs most likely wouldn't have extended their dynasty into the 2000s, and their core wouldn't have been as revered as they are today.
Kevin Durant's foot on the line in Game 7 of the 2021 Eastern Semifinals
It's safe to say that the Brooklyn Nets assembled their best roster when they managed to get Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in the summer of 2019. And in the 2020-21 season, the return of Kevin Durant immediately transformed the Nets into a legitimate championship contender. After sweeping the Boston Celtics in the first round, the Nets were expected to overpower Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in the second. However, a gallant stand by Milwaukee pushed the series to seven games, before the lack of chemistry and the breaks of the game simply favored the Bucks. Milwaukee would go on to win their first championship in 50 years.
The biggest play of the series came in Game 7. Down two, Durant converted a long-range bomb to push the game into overtime. Sadly, the shot could've been a three-point field goal had his foot been past the line. While Durant continues to express regret about the shot, had it been a three, the Nets might've gone all the way to win a championship. Durant and Irving would've silenced their critics by winning under their terms. On the other hand, Giannis wouldn't have cemented his legacy in Milwaukee.
Detroit Pistons don't draft Darko Milicic at the 2003 NBA Draft
The 2003 NBA Draft Class was seriously stacked with generational talent, including LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. However, the Detroit Pistons missed. With the second overall pick, the Pistons instead selected Darko Milicic. While Detroit did go on to win the 2004 NBA championship, Milicic pretty much rode the bench before his journeyman career ended abruptly.
With plenty of generational talent to choose from, Detroit pretty much had a golden opportunity to mount a dynasty. In fact, selecting Carmelo Anthony might've allowed the polarizing superstar to end his career with a ring. Being with the Pistons would've also allowed him to carve out a bigger impact than the then-Cavs' James, who gave Detroit tough battles in the East. Having Anthony on board probably would've elevated their offense, making them unstoppable on both ends of the floor.
James Harden stays with the Oklahoma City Thunder
It wasn't too long ago when the Oklahoma City Thunder were stacked with talent. With Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook leading the way and James Harden coming off the bench, the Thunder went all the way to the 2012 NBA Finals before surrendering to the Miami Heat in five games. Later that year, Harden left the Thunder to become the superstar of the Houston Rockets, evolving from sixth man to an MVP-caliber player.
Article Continues BelowIf the former Sixth Man of the Year stayed put in Oklahoma, chances are good that he wouldn't have been named the 2017 NBA MVP. However, it's safe to say that the Thunder had all the tools to rule the Western Conference. Stacked across the board, Oklahoma had the personnel to prevent teams like San Antonio and Golden State from reaching the Finals. In fact, the trio might've even made it to a ring had they stayed together. Harden remains in pursuit of a ring, while Westbrook recently concluded his decorated career without one.
LeBron James never leaves Cleveland
After being named the first overall pick of the 2003 NBA Draft, LeBron James carried heavy expectations to bring a championship to Cleveland. Although James eventually fulfilled the promise in his second stint with the Cavs, The Decision first left a sour taste for Cavs fans, leading to burned jerseys. However, joining the Heat gave him two rings and enough experience to master the East.
Staying loyal with the Cavaliers would've earned James fewer haters. However, his career outlook would've been different. This meant fewer rings and Finals appearances. Cleveland would most likely continue to run into a wall. Furthermore, with James staying put, the Cavs also wouldn't have likely drafted Kyrie Irving, who played second fiddle in the 2016 championship run. On the other hand, The King would've collected more individual accolades. However, the elusive ring was often the biggest source of criticism against James in the GOAT conversation.
Giannis Antetokounmpo never made it to the NBA
Born in Greece with Nigerian immigrant parents, Giannis Antetokounmpo had a long journey into the NBA. The family often faced issues surrounding deportation and poverty. In fact, his lack of papers nearly prevented him from entering the 2013 NBA Draft. However, Giannis pulled off the impossible. The Bucks selected him with the 15th pick, and patiently developed him into a two-time NBA MVP, NBA champion, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP. His accomplishments have catapulted him into the GOAT conversation.
Without Giannis, the Bucks would've continued to be a cellar dweller in the Eastern Conference. Furthermore, fans would've waited longer for an international player to finally win an MVP award. Giannis' back-to-back MVP Award wins marked the new era of international superstars in the NBA, as the sport continues to grow globally.
Zion Williamson carves out a healthy NBA career
The New Orleans Pelicans were absolutely elated, as they selected Zion Williamson with the first overall pick at the 2019 NBA Draft. For years, the Pelicans have struggled to be relevant in the NBA, and a physically gifted Williamson was expected to be the face of the franchise for the years to come. But while the Duke star had the potential to be a franchise cornerstone, availability issues have prevented him from taking off until this day. In fact, even NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen didn't hold back about the Pelicans star.
It's safe to say that when Williamson is healthy, New Orleans looks like a legitimate threat in the Western Conference. There's no question that a healthier version of the Duke star would've possibly made the West more stacked. But more importantly, he could've easily earned an MVP win.
2019-20 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
When the COVID-19 pandemic took over the world, the NBA wasn't spared. Once Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell tested positive, the league immediately suspended the 2019-20 season. While the league's officials considered canceling the season, a bubble with strict measures was instead established to resume operations.
If the NBA had canceled the year, there wouldn't be 2020 NBA champions. LeBron James wouldn't have won his fourth ring and Finals MVP with the Los Angeles Lakers, leaving his Purple and Gold stint in a negative light. Los Angeles would've also regretted sacrificing their future for Anthony Davis. On the other hand, Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat's Cinderella run to the Finals wouldn't have existed.
Nikola Jokic was never discovered by NBA scouts
It's crazy to think that NBA teams overlooked Nikola Jokic at the 2014 NBA Draft. Falling all the way to the 41st pick, the Denver Nuggets managed to find a hidden gem, a rarity in terms of second-round picks. In fact, on draft night, Taco Bell even featured a commercial when his name was called. Fast forward, Jokic has redefined the league's outlook on point-centers. With three NBA MVPs, an NBA championship, and a Finals MVP, the Serbian center has stamped his class in the modern era.
If Jokic had never been discovered, the shift to skilled centers wouldn't have happened in the NBA. Rim-runners and post-up big men would continue to be the norm. On the other hand, the MVP races would've been less competitive had Jokic never been discovered, leaving the likes of Joel Embiid, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Giannis Antetokounmpo more chances to add more individual hardware. But more importantly, the Nuggets wouldn't have been a top contender over the past years if it weren't for The Joker.