Miami has a huge advantage signing waived players

[winsomme]

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.

I think #1 is really the only reason that could matter for a players looking to impress for two months on a playoff team.

[timepiece33]

The variation in premium neighborhoods from a city like Miami vs. one in Boston is nominal especially when you consider availability of private schools, etc.  Point blank ... these guys considerations are not necessarily the same as ours.  

If you were to look at $1.5M houses in both areas, my bet is that you could normalize the cost of living adjustment fairly easily.   Which area has had more of a decline in housing prices?

And while nightlife might be important for some people, others might consider other items (proximity to parents, schools, safety).

[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.

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.    

Well, you are correct that at the rate of pay they receive, the RE tax issue isn't all that pertinent.  However, April to June we can expect players to be enjoying the day-life in beautiful temperate Boston, over the opressive heat in Miami....

[greenpride32]

The money really depends on the player.  A guy like Rip would not take an $18m buyout (leaving $7m on the table).  Then you see Bibby give up $6.4m guaranteed for next year; knowing full well he's never going to get that kind of money again.

I think PT is the most important factor since the C's rotation is more or less set.

[footey]

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.

I think #1 is really the only reason that could matter for a players looking to impress for two months on a playoff team.

Me too.

[Jon]

I think the PT plays a big factor.  I mean guys like Bibby and Murphy could conceivably start in Miami (I'm not banking on it, but it's possible).  And they certainly will get substantial PT. 

Having the exposure in the playoffs could get them big contracts next year. 

With the C's, Bibby plays 5-8 mpg in the playoffs and Murphy might not even make the active roster if everyone is healthy.