Lowry: Interest in joining Spurs was real

Recommended Video:

Kyle Lowry is a happy man these days. There are no complaints as he's starting his sixth season with the Toronto Raptors.

But one of the many NBA rumors floating around over the offseason was Lowry, a free agent at the time, was looking elsewhere, with San Antonio a possible destination.

Turns out that rumor was partially true.

INJURY UPDATE: Spurs get more good news about Tony Parker

"It was real for me," Lowry told the Express-News, "but it wasn't real for them. That's a part of the business that people don't know. I would have loved to come here, but it didn't work out. The conversation didn't happen. If the conversation happened, I would tell you. But it didn't happen.

"Not saying that I wanted out, but I did look at teams to see what was going on," said Lowry. "I mean this place would've been a great place."

One of the top free agent guards is Toronto’s Kyle Lowry. One of the top free agent guards is Toronto’s Kyle Lowry. Photo: Tony Dejak /AP Photo Photo: Tony Dejak /AP Photo Image 1 of / 32 Caption Close Lowry: Interest in joining Spurs was real 1 / 32 Back to Gallery

Lowry, 31, eventually signed a three-year, $100 million deal to stay with the Raptors in July. He finished last season averaging 22.4 points, 7.0 assists, 4.8 rebounds and was named an Eastern Conference All-Star for the third time.

Lowry finished with 15 points, five assists and five rebounds in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers for the undefeated Raptors (2-0), who are in town to play the Spurs Monday night at AT&T Center.

READ ALSO: Internet reacts to 'Teacup Duncan's' adorable first Spurs game cameo

One of the things that was intriguing to Lowry, besides the Spurs' history of winning, was the head coach.

"Gregg Popovich is one of the best coaches in the history of the NBA," said Lowry. "I knew the culture, but at the end of the day I came back to a situation that was best for me that I loved and happy to be in."

A few names were attached to the Spurs over the summer from Chris Paul, George Hill, Derrick Rose and Lowry, as Tony Parker's timeframe to return from a ruptured quad tendon was still unknown.

The Spurs went with their 21-year-old point guard Dejounte Murray to start the year, and the move seems to be paying off. Murray is averaging 12 points,7.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists after two games this season.