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Top 10 Biggest “What If” Players in NBA History

The NBA has seen players rise to stardom and cement their legacies among basketball greats, but some destinies remain unfulfilled.

Published: Tuesday, 6 October 2026 at 5:36 AM
Top 10 Biggest “What If” Players in NBA History
Key Things to Know
  • Avi Shravan ranks the ten biggest "what if" players in NBA history affected by injuries or tragedies.
  • The list highlights Derrick Rose, who won the 2011 MVP before severe knee injuries altered his career.
  • Tragic stories include Len Bias, Drazen Petrovic, and Maurice Stokes, whose careers were cut short prematurely.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Avi Shravan highlights the top ten "what if" players in NBA history whose potential was curtailed by injuries, tragedy, or misfortune. The list examines stars whose trajectories changed dramatically, including former MVP Derrick Rose following his 2012 ACL tear and Chris Paul, who reached the 2021 Finals with Phoenix but never won a title.

The feature also reflects on careers devastated by injury, such as Grant Hill, Greg Oden, Brandon Roy, and Penny Hardaway, as well as Arvydas Sabonis' late arrival. Tragic losses are also examined, notably Drazen Petrovic, Maurice Stokes' paralyzing injury, and Len Bias' fatal overdose days after the 1986 draft.

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