Miami has a huge advantage signing waived players

[ctrey]

In fact, both Free Agents and Buyout Players: No State Taxes.

If a player gets the pro-rated vet minimum, he makes more in Miami than in Boston. The extra bucks are I am sure a huge factor.

Frankly, I think the NBA needs to give teams the ability to give players more money if they are in states with higher taxes.

After all, it is the National Basketball Association, not the State by State Basketball association.

Or let teams do what they do in Europe. Pay the Taxes for the player.

[CelticG1]

In fact, both Free Agents and Buyout Players: No State Taxes.

If a player gets the pro-rated vet minimum, he makes more in Miami than in Boston. The extra bucks are I am sure a huge factor.

Frankly, I think the NBA needs to give teams the ability to give players more money if they are in states with higher taxes.

After all, it is the National Basketball Association, not the State by State Basketball association.

Or let teams do what they do in Europe. Pay the Taxes for the player.

The money is pretty low at that point I really don't think it is a huge factor. Especially for a guy like Murphy or Bibby who have made some good money over the years. Bibby completely waived the final year of his contract so obviously the money doesn't mean anything to him.

For this year it is still a pain for Miami to get a buy out guy. We have roster spots open where Miami doesn't have any. they will have to eat someones guaranteed contract before signing one of the buy out guys. If they want to of them they have to eat 2 of the contracts. It will be one of there bottom players but still they will be throwing money away and getting a guy like Bibby and cutting Arroyo could make them alittle hesitant

[BballTim]

In fact, both Free Agents and Buyout Players: No State Taxes.

If a player gets the pro-rated vet minimum, he makes more in Miami than in Boston. The extra bucks are I am sure a huge factor.

Frankly, I think the NBA needs to give teams the ability to give players more money if they are in states with higher taxes.

After all, it is the National Basketball Association, not the State by State Basketball association.

Or let teams do what they do in Europe. Pay the Taxes for the player.

  So people who are in some cases giving up millions of dollars to switch teams are going to pick their destinations based on 10 grand or so?

[ctrey]

I am just saying that it is an extra few bucks. In the case of an actual free agent, a few million. These guys care about money. You hear it all the time. I know that bought out guys have given up millions but if they can make an extra hundred grand and still have a shot for a title, they are likely to take the deal.

[Lucky17]

What are the tax savings on a pro-rated (75% through the regular season) minimum-level contract given by a Florida team as compared to one by the Celtics?

[droponov]

The advantage they have is open spots in the rotation.

[Fan from VT]

And more Playing Time.

And better weather.

[Surferdad]

I am just saying that it is an extra few bucks. In the case of an actual free agent, a few million. These guys care about money. You hear it all the time. I know that bought out guys have given up millions but if they can make an extra hundred grand and still have a shot for a title, they are likely to take the deal.

Those are good reasons, but so is playing time.  These free agents are on the cusp of being out of the league entirely.  If they can't prove they still belong, it could mean the end of their careers.

[ctrey]

The difference is whatever state or for that matter city taxes and State taxes if they work in Boston. I do not live in Boston, are there city taxes? They have them in NYC and other cities in the northeast. I live in Houston, TX and they talk about this issue all the time on sports radio. They claim it is a substantial amount of money. It is why players frequently want to play in Florida or Texas, they take home more money. Now I am not saying this is a good thing. On the contrary, since both states have no income tax, lots of things suffer. Mainly education. Schools in texas suck compared to public schools anywhere in the northeast. I have lived in both places and can speak from personal experience. Not to mention every educational study says the same thing.

[Roy H.]

They have multiple advantages:

1. A thinner roster, meaning more playing time for buyouts;

2. No taxes;

3. Better weather;

4. Great nightlife.

It's among the reasons that the "let's wait until buyout season to fill out our team" strategy isn't necessarily a great one.

[apc]

a little extra cash to feed the kids

[BudweiserCeltic]

They have multiple advantages:

1. A thinner roster, meaning more playing time for buyouts;

2. No taxes;

3. Better weather;

4. Great nightlife.

It's among the reasons that the "let's wait until buyout season to fill out our team" strategy isn't necessarily a great one.

Not a great strategy, but you have to make due with what you're dealt with. And we just have very limited resources to throw around, so I don't mind it as long as the core is in place.

[Neurotic Guy]

How far from the arena do the players live in Miami?  Does it take 45 minutes to get there?  If so, any player can save a few grand (if so inclined) by living in New Hampshire.   But, in fairness, don't forget about real estate taxes.  Often not mentioned when 'no state income tax' is mentioned, real estate taxes in many of the nicer towns tend to make up (at least to some extent) for lack of income tax.  Lower state-wide taxes means local communities, if they want high level services, have to find the revenue somehow. Solution: Real Estate Taxes.

Also, to the point of weather -- I'd argue that between  April and September, the weather in NE isn't worse than Miami.  Depending on your likes, some might find it better.  That, of course, starts going downhill next October.

[Roy H.]

How far from the arena do the players live in Miami?  Does it take 45 minutes to get there?  If so, any player can save a few grand (if so inclined) by living in New Hampshire.   But, in fairness, don't forget about real estate taxes.  Often not mentioned when 'no state income tax' is mentioned, real estate taxes in many of the nicer towns tend to make up (at least to some extent) for lack of income tax.  Lower state-wide taxes means local communities, if they want high level services, have to find the revenue somehow. Solution: Real Estate Taxes.

Also, to the point of weather -- I'd argue that between  April and September, the weather in NE isn't worse than Miami.  Depending on your likes, some might find it better.  That, of course, starts going downhill next October.

I doubt the buyout guys are buying homes in Miami, though. 

Also, the cost of living in Boston is quite a bit higher.  According to the CNN money calculator, to equal a salary of $1,000,000 in Miami, a player in Boston would need to be paid $1,249,056.  $250k is quite a bit of money, even for a multi-millionaire.

http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/costofliving.html

[clover]

How far from the arena do the players live in Miami?  Does it take 45 minutes to get there?  If so, any player can save a few grand (if so inclined) by living in New Hampshire.   But, in fairness, don't forget about real estate taxes.  Often not mentioned when 'no state income tax' is mentioned, real estate taxes in many of the nicer towns tend to make up (at least to some extent) for lack of income tax.  Lower state-wide taxes means local communities, if they want high level services, have to find the revenue somehow. Solution: Real Estate Taxes.

Also, to the point of weather -- I'd argue that between  April and September, the weather in NE isn't worse than Miami.  Depending on your likes, some might find it better.  That, of course, starts going downhill next October.

April to September of course are the months in which players  generally aren't in their team cities, and RE taxes seldom make up for a state income tax on these guys' incomes.