How retaining Kimmel might change the Pacific War

How differently would the Pacific War develop if Admiral Kimmel were not replaced by Nimitz?

Probably little overall change: Kimmel is judged competent and somewhat more aggressive, while finding another suitable role for Nimitz becomes an important question.

Retaining Kimmel in Pacific command is judged unlikely to change the war greatly. He is described as somewhat more aggressive than Nimitz and as an experienced commander who had spent several years running the Scouting Force. The accompanying problem would be how to employ Nimitz if Kimmel kept the post. A separate interpretation suggests that Nimitz had previously avoided the appointment because of the way it was being set up, while Kimmel felt obliged to serve when asked.