When Mat Ishbia gambled the Suns’ future on Kevin Durant, he didn’t envision two coach firings and failed playoff runs. He certainly didn’t see the catastrophic collapse of this season that left the franchise without a play-in berth at the very least. So what’s next for the Suns? Probably everyone knows it. It’s time to bid goodbye to KD. But where will the veteran land next summer if the chapter in Phoenix is closed ultimately? There are suitors. The buzz is getting loud in Houston. The Rockets are emerging as a real possibility here. But Stephen A. Smith has got bad news for them as ESPN’s million-dollar man goes through his receipts for the Slim Reaper.

While talking to his colleague Kendrick Perkins on the Stephen A. Smith Show, the host expressed serious doubts about Kevin Durant’s fit with the Rockets. He highlighted the team’s strong balance, with young talent complemented by veterans like Jeff Green and Fred VanVleet. Smith also added Dillon Brooks in the mid-range veteran category. His main point was to emphasize that the Rockets don’t need KD. As if that wasn’t enough, he boldly stated, “When you think about the culture that they have and what they bring to the table, do you compromise that for Kevin Durant?” That had to hit the 2x champion right where it hurts.

While Perkins thought a compromise could be made for Durant, Stephen A. wasn’t buying it. He went on to subtly underline the influence KD could have in the locker room, but of course, he did it in the classic Stephen A. way. “Even if Kevin Durant is the kind of person that you might not think is great for your locker room—not because he’s bad or cancerous or anything like that—but because he’s a different kind of cat and just marches to the beat of his own drum, you don’t worry about that with the nucleus and the culture that you’re building in Houston,” the analyst said.

Kevin Durant has faced widespread criticism, especially after his move to the Warriors. While his decision led to two championships, it left a bitter taste for OKC fans, as he joined the team that had eliminated his former team, the Thunder, in the 2016 Western Conference Finals, that too the following season. He’s also had a rocky relationship with the media. And his back and forth with Stephen A. is no secret. This was just another chapter in their ongoing feud.

Putting that aside, even if we consider the idea of a Rockets trade for KD, the question still remains, who gets moved to make room? Perkins had an answer for that.

Kendrick Perkins points to Rockets star who could make way for Kevin Durant

Even at 36, Kevin Durant is still more than capable of landing a great deal. And the Rockets have turned things around this season looking like real championship contenders. Adding KD could take them from good to dangerous mode. After all, he still averaged 26.6 points, 6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game during the Suns’ disappointing season. So, imagine what he could do if the surrounding is less chaotic. But if Houston wants him, someone will have to be sacrificed. The question is, who?

“The one concern that we all have a thing about when it comes down to the Rockets is: who’s going to be there closing?” Perkins asked, but he already had someone in mind. “Jalen Green, it’s your time,” he said. “Jalen Green is auditioning, right? Because when you look at the Rockets right now, what do they struggle to do? Make shots. They’re one of the worst teams in the league when it comes to making three-point shots. And we know that ain’t KD’s problem,” the former NBA star explained.

The team has struggled with their shooting from the deep and Durant could easily fill that gap with his veteran offensive prowess. But Perkins also pointed out that Green still has a chance to prove himself by stepping up in key moments during the upcoming playoffs. “If I’m Jalen Green going into this postseason, I quiet the noise. Oh no, okay, I’mma show you I could take over a fourth quarter. I’mma show you I could rough for a 20-point fourth quarter,” he stated. “Put the ball in my hands and watch me go to work. Y’all talking about—I’m hearing these whispers about Kevin Durant. Now I’mma silence that noise right now. And he has an opportunity right in front of him to do it.”

Green is undeniably talented, putting up 21.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game this season. He’s not just a key player for the Rockets, he’s the kind of asset that could be the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade. Last year, the 23-year-old guard agreed to a $106 million extension, which binds him with the franchise for three years. Now, his future is also uncertain. But this postseason could determine what’s next for him.