In the long term, yes it would be better if it shipped.

However, if someone went to a phone store with a stock graphene on display and anything else next to it, which one do you think they'll choose?

Until Graphene's stock experience (i.e stock apps and launcher) mature enough to not look out of place next to google and apple, the average Joe will pick the more polished phone. I hope improving that is a task Motorola will be able to help with, while graphene keeps doing their thing.

Additionally with the app/play store dualopoly, Motorola would be shooting them selves in the foot if they didn't ship with the play store.

Getting an option beside a pixel for Grapheneos is pretty cool and a big step forward. I hope new demand will be high enough to show the decision makers that its an endeavor worth continuing.

I believe the play services agreement Motorola Lenovo signs to get the play store on their devices would forbid that.

It wouldn't go away. It will only go away if Google signs grapheneos images. Grapheneos on all supported devices support the required attestation already. It is just Google pettiness.

Yes sure. I was merely commenting on the misunderstanding surrounding this.