The professional career of Kevin Durant is full of questions. What would have happened if the Portland Trail Blazers had selected him first in the 2007 draft instead of Greg Oden? What if the Seattle SuperSonics hadn’t moved after Durant’s rookie season? What if the Oklahoma City Thunder hadn’t traded James Harden after making the Finals? What if Durant had not signed with the Golden State Warriors? What if he hadn’t ruptured his Achilles tendon in the 2019 Finals?

Durant has not returned to the conference finals since that injury and his subsequent departure from Golden State. But in the meantime, he has continued to reach milestones: Earlier this season, Durant, 37, surpassed Wilt Chamberlain and Dirk Nowitzki to move up to sixth place in the all-time scoring rankings, and fifth, Michael Jordan, is just 118 points behind.

There’s a more recent “what if…” in the long list of turning points in Durant’s career. Five years ago this spring, losing by two points in Game 7 of the second-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks, Durant hit a 23-foot turnaround jumper with his foot on the 3-point line with one second left.

The Shot That Changed Everything

Durant played without his teammate Kyrie Irving injured, and shared the court with a mobility-challenged James Harden, who was dealing with a hamstring injury. Durant didn’t rest in Game 7 and scored 48 points. But after his jump shot tied the score, the Bucks won in overtime, en route to hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy a month later.

“Blessing.”

James Harden, on reaching the top 10 all-time scorers

But what if Durant’s foot hadn’t touched the line? What if he had worn sports shoes in the correct size instead of a larger size? What if their comeback had been worth three points and secured a dramatic victory for Brooklyn?

In reality, Durant, Harden and Irving only played two more games together as teammates. By February 9, 2023, they were no longer on the Nets.

However, in this alternate reality, which we’ll call the Nets Championship Universe (NCU), Durant’s shot wins the game, setting off a series of domino effects that change the course not only of the Nets, but of the rest of the NBA.

The Ripple Effects

1. The Nets Win the 2020-21 Title

After surviving the final second of Game 7 against Milwaukee, the Nets advance to face the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Nets are heavy favorites in this series. Brooklyn advances to face a bigger challenge in the Finals against the Phoenix Suns. After six games, Brooklyn wins the first NBA title in franchise history.

2. Durant and Harden Consolidate Their Legacies

Durant becomes just the sixth player in NBA history to receive three Finals MVP awards. Harden shakes off the stigma of being a playoff bust.

3. Team USA Loses in the Olympic Games

Durant declines his Olympic invitation, and France wins its first basketball gold medal.

4. Harden Never Requests a Trade to Leave Brooklyn

Harden remains a Net, and the Nets aren’t much of a deal without a full-time Irving.

5. 76ers reach 2023 conference finals

The 76ers advance to their first conference finals since 2001.

6. The Bucks acquire Myles Turner on the 2022 deadline

The Bucks trade for Turner to bolster their frontcourt.

7. The Knicks sign Antetokounmpo in July 2022

Antetokounmpo is traded to the Knicks for a package headed by Julius Randle, RJ Barrett and draft picks.

8. Lakers add Nick Nurse…but not Luka Doncic

The Lakers hire Nick Nurse as their head coach, but miss out on acquiring Luka Doncic.

9. The Bulls select Cooper Flagg in the draft

The Bulls win the lottery and select Cooper Flagg.