The difference between a pay cut and a stock restriction is that pay is regular and vesting is not. Let's say you renegotiate down 50% like you suggested. That

The difference between a pay cut and a stock restriction is that pay is regular and vesting is not. Let's say you renegotiate down 50% like you suggested. That means from now on you make 50% and before you made 100%. A vesting schedule though almost always accelerates towards the end. So if you renegotiate down 50% towards the end you may in fact be likely losing 75% or more. That's the problem with renegotiating stock grants/options, you likely still have a large amount left unvested and you put in all the hours and work beforehand with the promise that loyalty would be rewarded over time.