Both the numbers kind of hit the midpoint;
2.95 is about the intersection of low end 2nd line LW, to high end 3rd line LW
5 is is about the intersection of low end 2nd line C, to high end 3rd line C.
Joseph and Pinto both play fairly well rounded games (Pinto more so imo). I think Dorio bet on Joseph thriving with additional opportunity, and while he's shown flashes, he's inconsistent.
If we do the same with Pinto, and give him 5x5 or whatever, he may end up stuck in that middle ground, but it won't likely hurt the team. If he proves to be a top 6 player, you've got yourself a team friendly deal.
Idk how much lower we could get him for on a bridge, maybe low 3s times 2 years, in which case when he re-signs, you might end up paying 4-4.5 for him if he stalls out as an average 3rd line center, or 6+ if he proves to be a 2nd line center.
I don't see a lot of risk giving him 5, it's more about whether we can better use that money in years 1-2 than the savings we potentially get in years 3-5.