Choosing Königsberg makes diesel policy a mid-1920s decision, roughly a decade before Scharnhorst is laid down. That lead time lets engineers mature larger engines through cruisers and destroyers instead of jumping directly to a battleship plant. Beginning with Leipzig would preserve a mixed diesel-and-steam precedent and leave less development time. The earlier visible focus on long-range warships would also signal Germany's intentions to treaty partners well before the Nazi-era fleet programme. The Königsberg route keeps the counterfactual rooted in a real cruiser design while maximising cumulative development.
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An early Königsberg decision reshapes the treaty environment
Choosing the Königsberg class as the starting point moves diesel development back to the mid-1920s and gives later German designs far more time to mature.