I would like to hear your (or other wheelbuilders) thoughts on this.

I have built most of my front wheels 20 or 24 hole 2x. I realize that they are not passing torque and are rim braked so crossing is not necessary, and most if not all of my front hubs will accept radial lacing. One of my reasons is simply that I like the looks better, as the rear is going to be crossed and I just like them to have a similar look. But past aesthetics, there are a couple of possible advantages that appeal to me.

First, just because a hub is approved for radial doesn't mean it won't last longer with a crossed spoke. Products have been known to break under what is considered normal use, and even if it is rare for a hub to fail that way I don't see not giving it an advantage if it doesn't hurt me somewhere else.

Second, the angled spoke line approaching the rim can help to keep the nipple from unwinding. Again, generally a small worry but still an advantage I would rather have than not.

I have heard of a couple of other advantages but they are of less a concern to me or can be solved other ways, like preventing wind up on flat spokes.

And that brings me to asking what can be gained with radial lacing or what are the disadvantages to crossing. Three things come to mind:
The spokes would be shorter for radial giving a lighter wheel.
Could be slightly more aero.
Could be laterally stiffer (if laced heads in).

I am not a weight weeny and am not concerned with whatever aero advantage there may be to radial (which in my mind is going to by less than 1 watt at 20mph). That leaves lateral stiffness. I am sure somebody has a test out there, it may well be in the Brandt book which I own but haven't looked at for a while. But if somebody could post or link one, I would appreciate it. But I do tend to select front hubs that already have wider flanges so I don't know if there is a significant gain to be had.

I also realize that due to front wheel already having wider and symmetrical flange spacings that in a well built wheel all of this may be purely academic. Front wheels just tend to outlast the rears. But they still have to be built one way or another, and so I would like to know what reasons I may be missing.