Freeman dying in Unforgiven was a major plot point, Clint's character wouldn't have gone over the edge like he had if that hadn't happened. He was leaning that way, but he didn't go completely beserk until his friend got killed.
On the other hand, if it had been Clint's character who got killed, it would have entirely destroyed any reason for the story. It would have been like Riggs getting killed in the first Lethal Weapon. You'd be like "Wow, didn't see that coming" but that'd be the best reaction you could hope for.
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Some people are like slinkies, they aren't really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.