I don’t come to the forums much these days because of life, but here is why Kyrie leaving makes sense for Kyrie:
He was drafted at age 19 by Cleveland. 8 years later, he’s had limited choice on where he gets to play and live. Turning 27, this is his chance to choose his path. Sure, he signed an extension with Cleveland, but the alternative was to wait out restricted free agency, so it wasn’t really much of a choice. For someone like Kyrie, I think the opportunity to choose a team, rather than being drafted or traded, will really be valued. You can even hear a bit of that mindset in the interview last Friday: “I spent the last 8 years trying to do what everyone else wanted me to do.”
The decision for Kyrie won’t be about winning, or loyalty, or endorsements. It will be about proving to himself as much as anyone that he is in control. And re-signing in Boston will be too much of a reminder that he did not choose his current situation, and he will go elsewhere.