WI Michael III doesn't get murdered by Basil

As we know in otl photius during Michaels reign was in the perfect position to contest papal primacy and expand the patriarchate but then Michael and Bardas were murdered by Basil who then tried to reapproach with rome. Lets say Basil isnt able to turn the emperor against bardas and he also dies due to disease, assasination or plague. How does photius end his battle with the pope and without the macedonian dynasty how does byzantium develop since aside from Basil II the majority of them sans phokas and tzismikes were incompetants.
 
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