The Spurs’ interest in Rudy Gay was revealed July 1 with a phone call from Gregg Popovich.

As Gay recalled Wednesday, Popovich asked one question: Did Gay agree to terms with any team in the hours after free agency commenced? Gay said he was still available. Then came the official notification.

“He said, ‘Well don’t (sign with another team). Come here,’” Gay said. “Obviously he was joking, but the more we talked, he just talked about the possibilities. What kind of player I could be. What kind of player he thinks I am, and how I can help this team.”

Gay bought in, agreeing to a two-year, $17 million deal with the Spurs, who officially introduced their prize Wednesday afternoon.

“I think it was a do-or-die point in my career,” Gay said. “I wanted to be with an organization that was known for winning and can help me raise my game to the next level.”

Team officials met with the 11-year veteran in Austin the day after free agency opened to discuss a deal, but landing him was a process.

“He was our priority,” said Spurs general manager R.C. Buford. “He had other things he had to work through, but our interest was consistent from the beginning.”

Once Gay considered all options, coming to San Antonio “was a no-brainer,” he said.

Now comes the hard part, putting it all together on the basketball court.

Gay, who turned 31 last month, said he will be ready for training camp at the end of this month after rehabbing his left Achilles’ tendon, which he ruptured in January.

“I’m feeling great,” Gay said. “I know a lot of people say that. I don’t think you’d expect me to say anything else. But I actually feel great. I’ve been out there working hard. I’m ready to go.”

He said he actually embraced being sidelined, concluding the injury happened for a reason. It forced Gay to enhance his desire.

No longer will Gay be preparing for short seasons, feeling like he’s not playing for much. Now with the Spurs, Gay’s drive to win has been replenished.

“I kind of lost that,” said Gay, who admitted conversations with Kobe Bryant throughout his rehab served as motivation. “This injury really made me train like that. I was mad. I trained mad. I trained like an animal.”

Though Gay is known as a scorer, with a career average of 18.4 points (he averaged 18.7 last season in 30 games with the Sacramento Kings) on 45.5 percent shooting, he said he wants to show he can do more.

“Why wouldn’t I have something to prove? I mean, it’s the Spurs and it’s a championship mentality,” he said. “If I don’t do (help the Spurs win), I feel like I didn’t do everything I could.”

Gay has talked to Kawhi Leonard during the offseason. Those talks, according to Gay, were simple.

“What does he need me to do?” Gay asked. “How can I help him? How can we help each other? How can we win together?”

Gay said he’s even willing to embrace a sixth-man role if that’s what the Spurs need.

“Whatever it takes,” he said. “If I’m a sixth man, I’m going to be the best sixth man in the league. If I’m a starter, I’m going to try and be one of the best small forwards in the league. That’s just the type of player I am.”

Gay is betting on himself this season. He has an $8.8 million player option for the 2018-19 season. If he returns to form, he could decline the option and sign a more lucrative contract.

But the business side can wait. Gay’s new chapter starts this month. The mission is clear: Help his new team capture its sixth championship banner.

“I’m a Spur,” Gay said. “And I’m a Spur for life.”

jyoung@express-news.net

Twitter: @JabariJYoung