Seconding this.

What makes you think the predecessor would be a better model than the current pro max, OP? It’s not. It is however a perfectly good phone.

My opinion is, if money isn’t an issue, go for the 14 Pro Max. Get what you need and want now, there’s always going to be a newer model around the corner. In this case, the 15 isn’t even around the corner yet. Not even if you manage to snag one in release (and those things are going to be in short supply for several months after release, too, so factor that in.)