I completely agree with you and just for the record, I think he is a good player, please don't think I'm saying he isn't. I just think that at this point in his career and the associated risk of coming back from a long term injury, we should not be breaking the bank for him.
I can see the comparisons with Parker and also would not be surprised if he follows a similar career trajectory BUT (and this is the key point here), where has overpaying for potential got us? To a wooden spoon is the answer. This is my point, I am not questioning his value as a player, I am questioning his value to the salary cap and we CANNOT keep paying kids (which he still is really) more than they are currently worth.
If we pay Patty $450k, then we stay stuck in the same cycle that got Flegler his apparent overpriced salary as well (and I am his biggest fan).
The point is, you are absolutely right that you need those role players, those worker forwards but you just CANNOT be paying them star money.