Isn t it a non-selling product? Su Qun said bluntly that if the Lakers encounter a good inside player, they should go out to change Little Reeves

NBA topics are really one after another, isn't this? In a live broadcast, Su Qun, a famous basketball player, put forward a point that might surprise Lakers fans; that is quite straightforward to say that if the Lakers meet good inside players, they can use Reeves Jr. to trade.

Why did Su Qun say that? He said that in the Lakers' current lineup, James and Doncic account for a large proportion of ball possession. If there is another defender, the position will be a bit repetitive. So in his opinion, there is room for operation at the defender position.

Su Qun also emphasized that the center position is too critical. It would be worth it if I could get a center with a higher level. After all, the center has a huge role in the team and it is related to the direction of the team in the next few years.

And what about Little Reeves? Although he performed well in the Lakers this season, his data is also impressive, and he averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. But Su Qun thinks that defenders are relatively easy to find, Reeves Jr. is not perfect, and the defensive problems are quite big. If he can trade him in exchange for a strong center that can support the team's inside, then this deal is worth considering for the Lakers. Su Qun added that the Lakers' future main axis is Doncic and another inside line, because James will retire after playing for another year or two.

Su Qun made this point, not just a blind eye. First, from the Lakers' own situation, the problems in the inside line are quite prominent. In the first round of the playoffs this season, the Lakers were eliminated by the Timberwolves 1-4, and their inside disadvantage was fully exposed. The Timberwolves' offense at the basket was very smooth, and the Lakers could not defend themselves at all in the interior. His own inside player has poor framing protection ability and cannot beat others' rebounds. If there is a strong center forward and stand at the basket like Gobert of the Timberwolves, it will be full of deterrence, and the Lakers' defense will definitely be greatly improved.

Look at Reeves, he is indeed amazing. He has grown from a undraft to an important Lakers player step by step. His regular season data this season is impressive. But he also has shortcomings. His footsteps are not moving fast enough on defense, and he often cannot keep up when defending the opponent's speed guard. For example, in some key games, the opponent is specifically targeting him. After playing pick-and-roll, the fast defender breaks through. Reeves Jr. is difficult to defend, causing the team to lose points higher than the score.

Of course, the situation of Little Reeves' contract also needs to be considered. He now has two years left in his contract, earning $14.9 million in 2026-27, and he has the right to refuse to execute the player option. There are media reports that he may seek a contract with a starting salary of $30 million, so he will jump out of the contract and become a free agent next year. The Lakers' salary space is already tight, and James and Doncic are the big part. If Reeves asks for a price too high, it will be difficult for the Lakers to satisfy them, and they may lose her in vain. At this time, it seems that it makes sense to use him to exchange for an inside player, which can not only solve the inside problem but also relieve salary pressure.

However, trading Reeves Jr. also has risks. He cooperates with James and Doncic and has a great role in the team's offensive system. If he is traded, and the newly-exchanged inside players cannot get along well with the team, the team's offense may be in chaos. Moreover, it is not so easy to find a high-quality center. Even if there is a suitable one, the team may not be willing to trade with the Lakers.

So, Su Qun's view makes sense, but if you really want to put it into practice, the Lakers management has to weigh the pros and cons; after all, this is related to the team's future direction. If you make a mistake in one move, you may lose all the game.