LeBron James was selected by his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers nearly twenty years ago. The gifted athlete would go on to become one of the all-time greats in basketball.

James attempted to enter the NBA draft in 2002 before receiving his high school diploma. The Houston Rockets had the first pick in the yearly lottery at that point. It would be interesting to know how King James’ career would have changed if his petition had been granted, even though it was denied.

The tool Basketball GM was used to recreate this scenario in order to provide a tenable response. With every year that goes by, the impact of this incident on the rest of the league grows increasingly noticeable. Because of this, rumors start to surface more frequently as the seasons change. Now that we have established that, let us explore this alternate reality.

Between 2002 and 2003The Houston Rockets choose LeBron James. “The Chosen One” now has Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, Kenny Thomas, and Kelvin Cato in the starting lineup.

Houston misses the playoffs after an outstanding debut season.

This season, not many other changes have occurred in the league. The San Antonio Spurs, led by Tim Duncan, won the NBA title.

Between 2003 and 2004James’ sophomore season sees almost no changes to the Rockets roster. With the Rockets holding the fifth seed in the Western Conference, the native of Ohio makes his debut participation in the postseason.

The nucleus of the Sacramento Kings, which consists of Chris Webber, Mike Bibby, and Peja Stojakovic, eliminates them in the first round.

The Los Angeles Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, take on Tracy McGrady’s Orlando Magic in the 2004 NBA Finals.

Between 2004 and 2005LeBron James is still Houston’s lone All-Star selection in his third year. The Rockets end up with the Western Conference’s sixth seed.

Once more, the Sacramento Kings of Peja Stojakovic knock them out in the first round.

This year’s NBA Finals will feature the Phoenix Suns and Detroit Pistons. Ben Wallace and Chauncy Billups are on the Pistons’ roster. Shawn Marion, Stephon Marbury, and Manu Ginobili are the players on the Suns roster.

2005–2006: LeBron James’s future begins to appear more hopeful.

Houston makes a successful trade for Tony Parker in the middle of the season. James and Parker, the new explosive pair, lead H-Town to a second-seed finish in the Western Conference.

James plays the New Jersey Nets, led by Jason Kidd, in his first NBA Finals game. But in this championship series, the Nets win.

James is the inaugural MVP of the league.

Between 2006 and 2007LeBron James has had a difficult season overall, averaging career lows in every category. Houston doesn’t qualify for the playoffs as a result.

The Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks are competing in this year’s NBA Finals matchup. Steve Nash, Carmelo Anthony, and Dirk Nowitzki are among the star-studded Mavericks roster players. Luol Deng, Rashard Lewis, and Jamal Crawford are in the Bulls’ starting lineup.

Notable Event: During free agency, Tim Duncan signs a contract with the New York Knicks.

2007–2008James makes significant progress in his abilities, regaining his standing as the league’s best player. Nevertheless, Houston misses the postseason for the second consecutive season.

The NBA Finals series this year features a matchup of legends: Tim Duncan of the New York Knicks and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. Rajon Rondo and Tracy McGrady are among Duncan’s colleagues. Derek Fisher and Michael Redd are among Bryant’s teammates.

This is James’s second league MVP.

2008–2009The starting lineup for the Houston Rockets is Zydrunas Ilguaskas, Rashad McCants, Tony Parker, Bonzi Wells, and LeBron James. Houston misses out on the playoffs for the third year in a row as they just miss out on the eighth seed.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics square off in the 2009 NBA Finals. Shaquille O’Neal, Paul Pierce, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Durant make up the nucleus of the Celtics. Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, and Kevin Garnett make up the Timberwolves’ starting lineup.

It’s James’ third league MVP.

2009–2010Houston barely makes it back into the playoffs following a three-year absence. Nevertheless, the Utah Jazz eliminates them in the first round.

The Chicago Bulls led by Jamal Crawford and the Dallas Mavericks led by Dirk Nowitzki will face off again in the 2010 NBA Finals.

2010–2011 The Houston Rockets are having a busy offseason.

Zach Randolph is signed by the Rockets during free agency. In the NBA Draft, DeMar Derozan is also chosen. LeBron James is happy in Houston thanks to these actions.

The Rockets dominate their way to a Western Conference Finals meeting with the Chris Paul and Dwight Howard-led Golden State Warriors.

As they advance to the NBA Finals, Golden State will play the Boston Celtics. Paul Pierce, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Durant make up Boston’s nucleus these days.

2011–2012In this made-up universe, this season is historic and may be LeBron James’ best to date.

The Dallas Mavericks move Dirk Nowitzki to Houston in exchange for first-round draft selections and Zach Randolph. DeMar DeRozan, meanwhile, keeps progressing quickly.

The Boston Celtics and the Rockets battle their way into an NBA Finals series. Boston’s “Big Three” are making their third appearance in the Finals.

The Houston Rockets are the NBA champions after more than ten years. LeBron James also receives his fourth league MVP award.

Notable Event: During free agency, Kobe Bryant signs with the Philadelphia 76ers, his hometown franchise.

Between 2012 and 2013LeBron James, DeMar DeRozan, Dirk Nowitzki, Kyle Korver, and Shawn Marion make up Houston’s starting lineup. They have the best record in the Western Conference for the regular season.

The Rockets lose to Dwyane Wade’s Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Semifinals, despite being the clear favorites to win the championship.

The Philadelphia 76ers, led by Kobe Bryant, and the Sacramento Kings will square off in the 2013 NBA Finals. Andrew Bynum and Ty Lawson are two of Bryant’s teammates. Paul George and Kemba Walker make up the formidable combo leading the Kings.

2013–2014For the Rockets, this season is historic.

Not only did they have the best record in the league at the end, but LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, and DeMar DeRozan were all selected as All-Stars.

They play the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals once more. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are back in the Finals for the fourth time.

The fourth NBA title is won by the Houston Rockets.

Between 2014 and 2015Houston ends with the best record in the league for the second year in a row.

The Rockets will play the Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals for the second straight year. Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry are the dynamic combo that lead the Magic.

In the end, Orlando triumphs over the Rockets.

Between 2015 and 2016Nowitzki’s output is declining, even though LeBron James and DeMar DeRozan are still at the top of their game. Houston finishes as the Western Conference’s third seed.

A core of Victor Oladipo, Andre Drummond, and Brook Lopez from the Oklahoma City Thunder eliminates the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.

The Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers are playing in this year’s NBA Finals matchup. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, and Dwyane Wade make up the Hawks core. Anthony Davis and James Harden are the Trail Blazers’ leaders.

From 2016 to 2017Houston signs Hassan Whiteside in the off-season to replace a fading Dirk Nowitzki at the starting position. The Rockets are eliminated from the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

The NBA Finals feature the Atlanta Hawks once more. They play the Los Angeles Clippers, who are coached by Blake Griffin and Damian Lillard.

2017–2018LeBron James, DeMar DeRozan, Thaddeus Young, Avery Bradley, and Hassan Whiteside are the starting lineup for the Houston Rockets. The Rockets have strong depth thanks to the arrival of a number of role players, including Serge Ibaka and Rajon Rondo.

The Indiana Pacers, led by Nikola Jokic, will face the Rockets in this year’s NBA Finals. Nevertheless, the championship series is lost by Houston.

Notable Occurrence: In free agency, Stephen Curry signs a contract with the Washington Wizards.

2018–2019Throughout the season, LeBron James and DeMar DeRozan both have productivity issues. The Sacramento Kings, led by Paul George and Kemba Walker, sweep them in the first round of the playoffs.

The Atlanta Hawks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, will confront the Kings in the NBA Finals.

Notable Event: During free agency, Kevin Durant signed a contract with the Denver Nuggets.

2019–2020Houston’s starting lineup for the upcoming decade includes George Hill, Thaddeus Young, Serge Ibaka, DeMar DeRozan, and LeBron James.

The Denver Nuggets eliminate them in the Western Conference Semi-Finals. Superstars Kevin Durant and Luka Doncic are in charge of the Nuggets.

Denver defeats the Atlanta Hawks to advance to the NBA Finals. Over the past five years, Giannis Antetokoumpo has made four trips to the NBA Finals.

2020–2021Despite their continued All-Star caliber of performance, LeBron James and DeMar DeRozan are only able to claim the final play-in berth. Houston’s elimination from the tournament occurs swiftly.

The Atlanta Hawks led by Giannis Antetokoumpo and the Sacramento Kings led by Paul George are meeting again in this year’s NBA Finals series.

2021–2022In free agency, Houston signs Jimmy Butler, ushering in a new era of prosperity.

With the best record in the league at the end, James, DeRozan, and Butler work well together.

Houston moves on to the NBA Finals, where they will play the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2022. Joel Embiid, Devin Booker, and Kyrie Irving make up the Cavaliers core.

The fifth NBA title is won by the Houston Rockets.

2022–2023Even though it wasn’t recognized at the time, LeBron James is having his final great season.

Houston go on to play the Brooklyn Nets, led by Jayson Tatum, in the NBA Finals for the second straight year. It’s ironic that James faced the Nets in each of his championship runs.

The NBA champions Houston Rockets have won two straight titles. This is the franchise’s sixth game.

2023–2024Even at little over 40 years old, LeBron James still scores more over 20 points each game on average.

Anthony Edwards, Jarrett Allen, and Jamal Murray form the backbone of the Utah Jazz, who defeat the Rockets in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.

The Chicago Bulls and Denver Nuggets are competing in this year’s NBA Finals matchup. Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic, and Paolo Banchero make up Denver’s core. Zach LaVine and Ja Morant are leading Chicago.

2024–2025LeBron James is nearing the end of his playing days. DeMar DeRozan takes over as Houston’s primary scorer in the interim. They succeed in getting into the play-in competition, but they lose out fast.

The Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns will face off in this year’s NBA Finals. Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell are in the Phoenix lineup. The explosive team of Stephen Curry and Jaylen Brown leads Washington.

2025–2026The Rockets miss out on the postseason for the first time since 2017. LeBron James is determined to end his career in Houston despite this drawback.

In this year’s NBA Finals, the Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls will face off. Zach LaVine and Ja Morant are in the Chicago lineup. Jarrett Allen, LaMelo Ball, and Anthony Edwards make up Utah’s core.

2026–2027LeBron James’ 25-year career has come to an end.

James, Jimmy Butler, Monte Morris, Cameron Payne, and Chris Duarte make up the starting lineup, with Chris Duarte serving as the primary scorer. Mid-April marks the end of James’ farewell tour.

The Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks are the teams competing in the NBA Finals in 2027. Jaylen Brown, Coby White, and Stephen Curry make up Washington’s core. Tyrese Haliburton, Alperen Sengun, and Donovan Mitchell are in the Dallas starting lineup.

In this scenario, James ends his career as a lifelong Rocket and four-time NBA champion (2012, 2014, 2022, 2023) as well as four-time NBA MVP (2006, 2008, 2009, 2012).

League History (MVP – League Champion)Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs in 2003 (SAS)

Tracy McGrady of the Los Angeles Lakers (ORL) in 2004

Dirk Nowitzki of the Detroit Pistons (DAL) in 2005

LeBron James of the New Jersey Nets (HOU) in 2006.

Kobe Bryant of the Dallas Mavericks (LAL) in 2007

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers (HOU) in 2008

2009: LeBron James, Boston Celtics (HOU)

2010: Kevin Durant, Dallas Mavericks (BOS)

Kobe Bryant of the Boston Celtics (LAL) in 2011

2012: LeBron James, Houston Rockets (HOU)

2013: Kevin Durant, Philadelphia 76ers (BOS)

2014: Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets (BOS)

2015: Stephen Curry, Orlando Magic (ORL)

2016: Kevin Durant, Atlanta Hawks (BOS)

Jimmy Butler of the Los Angeles Clippers in 2017 (ORL)

2018: James Harden of the Indiana Pacers (POR)

James Harden of the Sacramento Kings (POR) in 2019

2020: Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Atlanta Hawks

2021: Stephen Curry, Atlanta Hawks (WAS)

2022: Nikola Jokic of the Houston Rockets (IND)

2023: Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Houston Rockets (ATL)

2024: Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Chicago Bulls (ATL)

2025: Ja Morant of the Phoenix Suns (CHI)

Chicago Bulls – Ja Morant (CHI) in 2026

Zion Williamson of the Washington Wizards (CLE) in 2027