Read on Twitter
This is just a reason based guess. I haven't talked to anyone but I think Gordon Hayward goes to New York even if it costs him money. Here is the logic ......
Unless he has changed the most important thing to Gordon was his status in the NBA. This is why he wanted the max contract so badly the first time in free agency. The max deal changes your status in the league as a max player. He wanted the max to prove he was in that group
He left Utah to go to Boston not for Brad Stevens but for the coverage. Opening night of the NBA season was Boston v. Cleveland. It was LeBron and the Cavs v. Hayward and the Celtics. He had 27 national TV games scheduled that year to be able to establish himself as a big star
Then the injury happened. He wasn't right for a while. Tatum and Brown emerged. Kyrie did his thing and now Kemba. He is just a cog in the wheel in Boston. That is not enough. My guess is not about $ it is about his last chance to have a legacy and establish his place. He is 30
He has worked tirelessly to get back from that gruesome injury. With limited touches in Boston he showed signs of being an all-star again. He won't be an all-star in Boston. From Jan 1 to March 1 he averaged 18 pts, 7 rebs, 4 ast and shot 49.5% FG 39.7 3pt and 86% FT
I assume that makes Gordon believe he can still be a star. The place to go to leave your mark on the league, to have a chance to be an all-star again, to create a esteemed spot in the league is New York. If you are an all-star in New York you have a legacy. Just a guess
