I suspect this announcement has a lot to do with positioning SpaceX to compete with Bezos' Blue Origin on upcoming contracts. Blue Origin has been working in stealth mode exclusively on a reusable design, while SpaceX has focused on a conventional launch vehicle that they can market right now. Musk & Co. have had admirable success, but reusable systems are a whole different ballgame, and very little of their current hardware is likely to be applicable in that context.