Jerry Colangelo Says People Around Lonzo Ball Are 'Challenging'

Philadelphia 76ers special adviser Jerry Colangelo said Friday that evaluating former UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball is "challenging" because of the "people around him," though he didn't mention the star's outspoken father, LaVar Ball, by name.

ESPN.com passed along comments Colangelo made during an interview on Sports Radio 94 WIP in Philly about Ball's ability and question marks.

"I think Ball is a terrific prospect and could have an outstanding NBA future," he said. "I think it's going to be challenging with the people around him, without being specific.

"And yet, I don't think teams should bypass the player because they have those concerns. At the end of the day, what wins in this league is talent, and this is a very talented young man."

The Sixers own the third overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft. Ball is projected to come off the board inside the top five, with most signs pointing to him landing with the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 2.

His father, who's been pushing for his son to remain under the bright lights of L.A. after one year with the Bruins, told Ryan Ward of Lakers Nation in May that Lonzo would only work out for one team.

"That's all we working out for is the Lakers," LaVar Ball said. "Just the Lakers. There's nobody else that we need to work out for."

That stance may be softening as the draft draws closer, though. ESPN.com's Chris Haynes reported May 26 that Ball was "considering" working out with the 76ers.

Meanwhile, there have been a wide range of opinions about whether LaVar Ball could negatively impact his son's draft stock.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said on ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike that it's not an issue since he thinks LaVar will "settle down" after the draft, per ESPN.com.

"If I were an NBA team looking at Lonzo Ball, I'm not sure how much consideration I would give to his father," Silver said. "I think ultimately the issue is how much game does Lonzo have, how great a player can he be?

"I think his dad will invariably settle down once his son is drafted and a team has the appropriate discussions with him. So I'm not concerned about that."

An NBA general manager told Sean Deveney of Sporting News he wasn't sure it will be that easy to handle, though.

"It doesn't help, all this stuff with his father," the GM said. "I don't know what is gained for the kid by putting that much pressure on him. Nobody from the league has been meeting with [Lonzo Ball] or anything, but that is going to be another thing to look at when it comes to due diligence before the draft. How does he handle his dad; is it just something he laughs about, or is it real pressure on him?"

All talk aside, Ball will find out his destination at the draft June 22 at the Barclays Center in New York City.