Could always triple boot, use the third to play around to see if’n something else is even better than what you have, or use a container to test run different linuxes… linii? Personally I’m enjoying LMDE, and don’t like Gnome either, but that’s the great thing about Linux, so many different options.
I think the reason is because apparently a lot of people are unhappy with a deal Nix inked apparently with a company that does business with the US’ Immigrations and Customs