The San Antonio Spurs are believed to be preserving trade assets for a bigger acquisition that better fits their timeline instead of aggressively pursuing Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns during the current transaction cycle.

The Spurs appear reluctant to pursue aggressive trade talks for Durant despite being included on the veteran forward's preferred destination list. San Antonio believes their championship timeline differs significantly from other contending teams in pursuit of the 14-time All-Star.

Phoenix has concentrated trade negotiations on the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat and Houston Rockets while Durant's camp has identified three preferred landing spots. The Spurs join Miami and Houston as Durant's favored destinations, according to NBA insider Shams Charania.

"From my understanding right now, the Spurs have not been the aggressive team for Kevin Durant," Charania said on Tuesday's Pat McAfee Show. "The Spurs have had a level of interest, I mean it's Kevin Durant, who wouldn't? But their timeline compared to the assets and potentially what it would take to go get Kevin Durant, they're just not on that time that Miami may be on."

San Antonio's cautious approach stems from their belief in building around Victor Wembanyama and likely No. 2 draft pick Dylan Harper. The franchise views their competitive window as extending beyond the immediate future compared to Miami and Houston's win-now mentalities.

The Spurs plan to preserve assets for a potentially larger acquisition that better aligns with their development timeline. Charania suggested San Antonio may target a different star player who fits their long-term vision.

"I think they're going to really be stocking their assets for potentially a bigger move, a bigger player, someone who may fit their timeline," Charania added.

Durant turns 37 in September compared to Wembanyama at 21, Castle at 20, and Harper at 19.

"The Rockets and the Heat are more realistic as of right now than the Spurs," said Charania.

The Spurs lack the motivation to make a major move for Durant in light of what could be possible at a later date if they keep the majority of their assets.

"What that front office, Brian Wright as general manager, and Mitch Johnson as head coach, they want to have a similar run and be setup similarly to RC Buford and Gregg Popovich," said Charania. "In their minds, they have a ton of assets to where if a guy becomes available on that timeline potentially, you go out and make that deal. It's not to say they don't have interest in Kevin Durant. They do. And potentially they would make an offer and I'm sure they have discussed different frameworks. What other teams are offering is a little more aggressive."