Xbox reportedly wanted disc support on Project Helix console as advantage over PS6
(www.notebookcheck.net)
Xboxes ONE consistently good idea has been it's backwards compatibility. They could keep that shred of good karma rolling if they decide to keep the drive. Also, the amount of people who buy a console for playing dvd/bluray discs isn't nothing. Being the ONLY console on the market with a drive might actually get some market share back.