Will Heat Sign Scottie Pippen Now?

A week ago, Pat Riley all but laughed off the notion of signing 41 year old, Ft. Lauderdale resident Scottie Pippen. How much has changed since.

With Dwyane Wade out for the foreseeable future, looking to be at least 4 weeks, will the Heat roll the dice on adding Pippen?

Pip has expressed interest in trying to help a team get deep into the playoffs. What is more, he has expressed very deep interest in playing for Miami. But with Dwyane Wade gone, would he still want to be a part of this team?

I think the answer is yes, and Pippen may be able to provide the Heat with something that they desperately need - a sense of will.

Wade is a huge part of this team, obviously, and is the difference between making this team a good team and a great team. Shaq makes the game easier for everyone, but he can't score 35 a game to bail out his teammates. Wade could, while Shaq maintained his presence and made it easier for the Flash.

Pippen will not be a scorer, let's get this straight. He will most likely simply be a veteran presence that will have his moments - fleeting, but important. What he will provide for the Heat is insurance at the PG position and even as a slasher on this team. His skill set won't be an upgrade over EJ or even Posey, but as a PG he could help the Heat go big and control the game defensively.

Let's face it, Gary Payton is useless. He doesn't score, he doesn't hit the wide open threes he's looking at, and he doesn't play the spectacular, lock-down defense he used to.

Ask yourself, is Pippen an upgrade over Payton? If the answer is yes, then there is certainly a need to sign him now - especially with Wade down and it is unknown how Jason Williams will respond to the current challenge with himself just getting back to full strength.

Riley won't play Quinn over Payton, and it would be debatable if that would be an upgrade at this point anyway. Pippen may be an option, and he wouldn't cost the Heat much more than a roster spot.