The Phoenix Suns are expected to be a top 3 team in the West, but the Big Three experiment did not succeed. The team is currently in the 11th spot, and even a Play-in tournament might not be granted to them.

Kevin Durant is doing all the business for The Valley, but it does not mean he's going to be complacent in staying. According to the recent rumors surrounding the 36-year-old star, the possible summer swap with Klay Thompson could happen anytime.

Kevin Durant's Phoenix Stint Could Be Coming to an End

NBA Trade Rumors: Suns Could Explore Kevin Durant-Klay Thompson Trade NBA Trade Rumors: Suns Could Explore Kevin Durant-Klay Thompson Trade
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When the Suns signed Durant, the hype was immense. The 15-time All-Star was perceived as the final piece of the puzzle to bring Phoenix back to the NBA Finals. The truth, though, has been much less thrilling. Even with a superteam built around Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, Phoenix is going to miss the Play-In tournament, making it more apparent by the day that the formula at hand isn't cutting it, according to Sporting News.

Durant's arrival has not equated to playoff success, and now the franchise might have no other option but to let its aging superstar go. As Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley tells it, the Suns desire to stay competitive but also require flexibility, assets, and locker room situations.

Suns Could Explore Getting Klay Thompson This Summer

In Buckley's trade suggestion, Phoenix would get four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson, defensive stopper P.J. Washington, young guard Jaden Hardy with potential, and several first-round draft picks. This trade setup provides more than a star name - it provides the Suns a consistent shooter and veteran winner in Thompson, as well as foundational pieces for the future.

Klay Thompson is contributing 14.2 points per game in his 14th season in the NBA, and he's at 39.4% three-point shooting. No longer the lockdown defender of his heyday, Thompson still is a premium floor-spacer who can be effective without having the ball in his hands - an important pairing with Booker and Beal.

A Culture Reset with Thompson and Budenholzer

Although Durant is "open" to sticking with the Suns, it's better if he could go elsewhere to test a new culture.

Maybe more significant than numbers is the possible locker room restart this deal might provide. Thompson, a low-maintenance personality with a championship pedigree, would bring a dose of fresh air to a Suns franchise that is struggling with chemistry and consistency.

New head coach Mike Budenholzer would be helped by Thompson's soothing presence and experience, establishing a new foundation in Phoenix.

Buckley says Phoenix doesn't have to rip it all down — just tinker with the foundation. A Durant-Thompson trade could be that turning point to revitalize the franchise without going into full rebuild.

Durant Trade Rumors Likely to Dominate Offseason

With the Suns in their current situation and Durant having such a high trade value, it would not be surprising if Phoenix makes a move on a summer trade. Nothing is guaranteed but count on trade rumors to heat up as the NBA offseason nears.