Kyle Lowry's northern exposure

— -- TORONTO -- Kyle Lowry's bags were packed for New York City. He called a friend to box up the rest of his belongings. When the Toronto Raptors stumbled out of the gate with a 7-11 start to the 2013-14 season, GM Masai Ujiri traded high-volume scorer Rudy Gay, and the 28-year-old point guard was under the impression he was next.

"I didn't think I was getting traded anywhere besides the Knicks," Lowry says. "I thought that was the trade, and Masai was truthfully telling me that I'm gonna trade you somewhere where you can be a starter. I honestly thought that was going to happen. I had two duffle bags ready to go. I've been traded once during the season and once during the offseason. So I was mentally prepared."

Ujiri was open with Lowry and his agent, Andy Miller. The Raptors were about to enter rebuilding mode. A deal sending Lowry to the New York Knicks seemed imminent.

After failing to find a long-term NBA home in Memphis, Houston and Toronto, Lowy's next attempt would come at Madison Square Garden.

It's funny how things happen, though. The deal never materialized, and now, after signing a long-term deal, making the Raptors a force in the Eastern Conference, and emerging as top-tier NBA player by almost any measure, Lowry is on his way to New York in a wholly different context -- as an All-Star starter, representing the team and city that just might come to define his hardworking career.