I hope you are taking into consideration the capital gains tax when it comes to the difference between strike price and the current fair market value of the stock. If a company is growing fast or takes on money, this can change alot in even a year.

The IRS doesn't care that you may not be able to actually recognize that gain because you cannot actually sell the stock, it's considered a gain nonetheless and you will owe tax on it.

I have been in a situation where the FMV of my stock changed by 10x in the span of a year and by the time I could have actually bought any stock the tax bill would have bankrupted me.