LaVar Ball won't affect whether Suns draft Lonzo Ball, Ryan McDonough says

Phoenix Suns GM Ryan McDonough told ESPN's Jeff Goodman on Thursday that LaVar Ball's comments won't have an impact on the draft stock of his son, former UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball.

Goodman asked McDonough at the NBA combine if the father's behavior would prevent Phoenix from drafting the son.

RELATED: Is LaVar Ball hurting Lonzo Ball's NBA draft stock?

McDonough responded (via CBS Sports):

"Not really, no. We evaluate the player first and foremost. Every player comes from a different family situation. It seems like LaVar has been extremely involved in Lonzo's career and obviously he's a polarizing guy. But on the court, in terms of development, it seems like it's helped Lonzo. As we try to weigh in all the factors, certainly having a parent who's very involved and cares a lot, we don't view that as a bad thing. It's a little bit different than certain situations but it's certainly that we would not disqualify Lonzo for, or really factor heavily in our decision."

It echoes what NBA experts have told us before: Lonzo Ball is just too talented to pass up because of his dad's antics. 

Goodman also asked Magic Johnson if LaVar Ball's behavior would prevent Los Angeles from taking Lonzo Ball and the Lakers GM said it would not.

"What you're drafting is the son and not the father," Johnson said. "I think that you also are gauging and evaluating his son on his ability and what he can do not only on the basketball court but also what he can do for your team. How he can enhance and make your team better."

The Suns are guaranteed to have a top-five NBA draft pick and have the second-best odds at landing the No. 1 overall pick in the draft lottery Tuesday.

Lonzo Ball is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the draft and many recent mock drafts project him to be picked by the Suns.

Last week, azcentral sports' Doug Haller reached out to several NBA analysts to get their thoughts on whether LaVar Ball was hurting Lonzo Ball's draft stock.

Here are some of their thoughts:

ESPN's Fran Fraschilla: “It is (enough to make teams pause), but only in a minor way. The kid’s become such a good player that even though the father’s been a distraction, I don’t think a team will pass up on him because of the father. But he’s not helpful, let’s put it that way.”

Pac-12 Network's Mike Montgomery: “Is it a red flag? Yes. It’s nonsense. Is anybody going to listen? I don’t know. He’s promoting his son. He’s trying to make money on a shoe deal, an equipment deal. That’s all business outside the game. If he were on a team, I don’t think the players would pay any attention to that because it doesn’t appear to me that the kid pays any attention to it.”

ESPN's Seth Greenberg: “Just think of all the crazy things the old man said. How many of them came to fruition? None of them. I think the kid just looks at it as, 'That’s my dad being my dad.' He doesn’t carry himself that way. And when I think you get to the NBA, they’re not going to put up with that."

You can read more about LaVar Ball's potential impact on Lonzo Ball in the draft here.

YOUR TAKE ON NBA DRAFT:Anyone but Lonzo Ball for Suns?

BICKLEY: Suns can't pass on Lonzo Ball despite his disruptive dad

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