Originally they both wanted to play in NY but for Knicks, not the Nets. Dolan is the reason that didn't happen.
I remember reading up on it that KD and Kyrie were both open to giving the Knicks an interview but the front office responded with lukewarm hesitancy due to Durant being injured/recovering at the time and felt Randle was the way to go.
Bro that was the FO trying to save face, there were so many stories around what happened, you might as well just choose to believe what you want.
First the story was KD didn’t care and he left it to Kyrie who wanted the Nets because he grew up a Nets fan and both didn’t want to deal with the Knicks based on their history.
Then it turned to the Knicks didn’t get Zion so KD/Kyrie liked the Nets because they felt the kids could help them as roleplayers and be traded for the third star (Harden)
Then the story was the Knicks FO didn’t want Kyrie to be the second guy with KD. They thought he was a reckless recluse. When KD said it had to be him and Kyrie they hesitated and the Nets jumped in.
Personally I think the version that KD wanted a big three and the Nets were better positioned to do it. He was leaving the Warriors and wanted a chip and on the low while we all mock the Nets now if Covid didn’t happen and Kyrie refused to get vaccinated, Kyrie/Harden/KD might have won a championship.