If we don't trade for a franchise superstar this upcoming summer, I find it hard to see us being a contender. Because extending many talented players over the 2018 Summer will financially cripple our chances of contending. That is why I suggest we trade one or two to consolidate the talent to retain flexibility in the future.
2018 Summer: need to resign Bradley, IT, and Smart
Bradley is going to get at least $20M no question. If KCP from Detriot is asking for this upcoming summer, Bradley is definitely getting more the following summer. He is an above 20% of the cap type player. IT is going to demand the MAX. He is obviously better than Horford (offensive talents always more valuable monetarily) and will be getting around 28.6% of the cap ( Max 7-9 years experience). That is $50 Million for 2018/2019 (on top of that Horford adds another 29 = 79 Million for 3 players is over 77% of the cap).
If Marcus Smart improves his offense, his efficiency, will command at lead Evan Turner value. So add another 18%, leaving us about 5% of 102 (5.1 Million), so the 25 remaining under the Luxury cap would have to be used to fill out 10 positions.
Now, if we want to retain any of our bench-players, Olynyk is going to want 12-14M (12%) , Brown will be at 6M (6%), Rozier 3M, and would have to fill out the rest of the roster with minimum contracts.
I just don't see how that we are contenders if we can't expect to retain our players (and they're aren't true contenders yet).
Trading for Cousins would be a great way to consolidate talent. He will demand the MAX. about 29M. so if we can get 40 Million of Talent off our books the same year we resign him, then it would be like saving 11 million.
Note: I'm not suggesting that we waste talent. But if two players are getting 40 million and are equal halves to Cousins (at 29M).