Report: Sixers ‘keeping tabs’ on Hawks’ Belinelli

By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Philadelphia 76ers are keeping their eyes open as the trade deadline moves closer. Bryan Colangelo and the front office have reported interest in both Tyreke Evans and Lou Williams, both of whom may cost a first-round pick in return. In addition to those two, Michael Scotto of The Athletic reports that Philadelphia is also "keeping tabs" on Atlanta Hawks guard Marco Belinelli.

Belinelli, 31, is also on an expiring contract like Evans and Williams, but the Hawks are not seeking a first-round pick in return, but rather a second-rounder. That may sway Colangelo more towards Belinelli if he can nab the veteran for one of the many future second-round picks under the Sixers' ownership.

In 50 games this season for the 15-win Hawks, Belinelli is averaging 11.4 points per game, shooting 41.3 percent from the floor and 37.1 percent from beyond the arc. Belinelli is coming off of a less than impressive month of January, shooting under 39 percent from the floor and 31.7 percent from three-point range. Over his 11 years in the NBA, the 31-year-old veteran is shooting 42.4 percent overall and 37.1 percent from beyond the arc.

Acquiring a guy like Belinelli for a second-round pick would be very low-risk for the Sixers. That being said, after a rough month of January and a December that saw him struggle to shoot 36 percent from beyond, it seems more likely that the Sixers' interest will end at the keeping tabs phase despite their lackluster depth in terms of shooting off the bench.