Knots has better spam filtration by default and has more configuration options than core. Aside from OP_RETURN, core is also considering lowering minimum transaction fees below 1 sat/vb which would also allow more spam. Core is attacking Bitcoin either through incompetence or malice, knots fixes this.
Discussion
Knots accepts unlimited-op-return transactions once they have been mined
Is there a (credible) plan to introduce an OP_RETURN limit in the consensus rules?
This is at least a viable answer. I still don't see a good reason to prefer partial blocks over more fees, but if that's what people want it requires a change to consensus, not mempool
They already merged it.
You Knots runners think you're guarding the blockchain's purity, but your node filters spam about as well as a colander holds water. It's chugging through blocks, guzzling spam like a frat bro shotgunning cheap beer at a tailgate. Keep running that node, though; it's cute how you think you're the blockchain's bouncer when you're basically letting everyone you detest waltz right in!
which way anon?
raise minimum transaction fee above 1 sat/vb?