Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

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.

Video Play Button McCollum and the Blazers Snapped Postseason Losing Streak for "Jennifer" Stars Invest in Plant-Based Food as Vegetarianism Sweeps NBA The NBA Got Some Wild Techs This Season Jarrett Allen Is One of the NBA’s Hottest Rim Protectors Wade's Jersey Swaps Created Epic Moments This Season Westbrook Makes History While Honoring Nipsey Hussle Devin Booker Makes History with Scoring Tear 29 Years Ago, Jordan Dropped Career-High 69 Points Bosh Is Getting His Jersey Raised to the Rafters in Miami Steph Returns to Houston for 1st Time Since His Moon Landing Troll Lou Williams Is Coming for a Repeat of Sixth Man of the Year Pat Beverley Has the Clippers Stealing the LA Shine LeBron Keeps Shredding NBA Record Books Young's Hot Streak Is Heating Up the ROY Race with Luka LeBron and 2 Chainz Form a Superteam to Release a New Album Wade's #OneLastDance Dominated February Warriors Fans Go Wild After Unforgettable Moments with Steph Eight Years Ago, the Nuggets Traded Melo to the Knicks Two Years Ago, the Kings Shipped Boogie to the Pelicans ASG Will Be Competitive Again If the NBA Raises the Stakes Right Arrow Icon

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.