Los Angeles Clippers forward Caron Butler came close to signing with the Spurs as a free agent before the start of the season.

Butler said he nearly signed with the Spurs after an impressive courtship from Gregg Popovich and the team's management.

"As a free agent, I was extremely close to coming here," Butler said Monday at the Clippers' shootaround practice. "This is a great franchise, a great city."