Portland takes Durant instead of Greg Oden. Durant + Brandon Roy + LaMarcus Aldridge. That's a dynasty — easily 2-3 championships. Durant never goes to OKC, which means no Westbrook partnership, no Warriors superteam, no Brooklyn experiment. The entire NBA timeline unravels.
No "Decision." No "Not 1, not 2..." speech. LeBron stays loyal, Cleveland eventually builds around him properly, and he maybe wins 1-2 titles there. But without the Miami experience, does he learn how to be a champion? The Heat dynasty never exists. Chris Bosh stays in Toronto.
8 straight championships. No Hakeem Olajuwon titles (sorry Houston). No "I'm back" fax. Jordan averages 32 PPG through 1998 with no rest years. He might burn out faster — or he might have 8 rings instead of 6. The GOAT debate ends permanently.
Boston gets John Wall or Evan Turner instead of #2 pick Avery Bradley (trade). But imagine: Big Three (Pierce/Garnett/Allen) + a young point guard. That 2010-11 Celtics team might beat the Mavericks for the title. The Big Three era extends 2 more years.