One can only hope. I think it is better if the developers that care about clean UI and workflows were to focus on Ubuntu Budgie or maybe even Budgie 11 or entirely new DE altogether. But as far as modern feeling and clean UI design I really do think Budgie 10.5.x is an overlooked gem of a DE.
It is fine to be opinionated, but I always found the.. opinions I guess by the people over at elementary to be rude, condescending and not really in the interest of its actual users. I think if that weren't the case though there'd be tons more people volunteering to make it one of the most popular and best distros around.