The people who are being acquired are usually tied to the acquirer via 'golden handcuffs', so they can't leave. Why just not lure these employees by giving them

The people who are being acquired are usually tied to the acquirer via 'golden handcuffs', so they can't leave. Why just not lure these employees by giving them better offers? Probably because everyone knows that the acquihires are common so it's stupid to leave the startup 'for free' instead of waiting it to be acquired, and get some cash. If the new employer will give a signing bonus big enough to each of them it won't be much cheaper than acquihire, but he will get individual guys, not some company with established leadership, structure and culture.