For some reason, knuckleheads don’t want Lonzo Ball anywhere near the Sixers because his dad is nuts. But former NFL agent and player exec Andrew Brandt thinks dealing with LaVar would be no problem for the NBA. From MMQB:

Back to Ball, I have heard the narrative about him being “a distraction” with his bravado and shameless promotion of Big Baller Brand. However, I do not see any of this negatively affecting his son, Lonzo. To the contrary, the elder Ball seems to be protecting his son from inevitable other influences that have—and will—come Lonzo’s way. LaVar seems perfectly suited to be the true “no guy,” ready to block those who have less concern for his son than he. It appears the only “herd” around Lonzo Ball and his brothers is LaVar; no new friends, no new advisors, no associates with their hands out. Sure, LaVar is catnip to sports television and radio programming, but he seems as effective in protecting Lonzo’s interests as any manager, marketer or agent.

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LaVar can still be effusive, even delusional about his son’s abilities as Lonzo’s de facto agent/promoter. However, team coaching and management decisions are off limits. And— this may surprise you—I think he will respect that and not cross that line. UCLA coach Steve Alford said that LaVar did, indeed, stay out of Alford’s lane this past season, telling the LA Times: “He was terrific. He let me coach his son, didn’t get in the way at all.” While being deferential may seem a challenge for someone with as much gusto as LaVar, my sense is that he gets it.

I said this yesterday on the podcast– LaVar is nothing to the NBA. He’s a wackadoo, to be sure, but the NBA is filled with wackadoos, wackadees, wackabries, and whatever the hell Drake is. More than any other league, because of its star-driven culture, the NBA is used to dealing with this stuff. LaVar going on TV and being a distraction is both small potatoes when it comes to associated nonsense and very likely the least bad of possible outside influences on a team or player. Institutionally, the league has figured how to navigate, and also thrive, in these waters. And the Colangelos, league-approved basketball lifers, one of whom assembled Team USA and is apparently a master at wading through the murky stuff, will have no problems dealing with this sort of thing.

So I’m with Brandt. LaVar could prove to be a pain in the ass, but I’d take a dad who at least tries to provide the best for his kid over some jackass swindling money out of his bank account.

If Ball is available, you take him.