You're still not getting it.
We've already lost.
We know this, and we accept that we have lost. The question then becomes - do we want even more middle-6 guys who won't add to what we already have, OR do we want a year of an elite guy such that we might be able to get
something done before the consequences of having lost finally show up?
The latter is far more valuable.
* * *
We understand that he's a rental. We're treating him as
our rental, and if you want him you will have to pay us something that gets us to give up an elite rental.