They couldn't afford Chris Paul or Kawhi this offseason. So if they made a push this year, they'd max out at, like, the 4 seed at best, lose second round, now have a lot of money on the books, and miss on the big names due to budget next year anyway. And Tatum and Brown would probably be out anyway. So the result would be the same either way.

At least by waiting, they're giving themselves a chance at a real big name and real contention. Especially while the Bulls, Knicks, and Heat spend like crazy and make themselves less likely to be able to afford the big names next offseason.