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Sources said Stojakovic's fast commitment to go to Dallas was likewise greeted with dismay by multiple contending teams that had interest in signing him. But sources also confirmed Friday that the Mavericks were granted permission by Toronto to start speaking to Stojakovic's agent, David Bauman, shortly after Caron Butler's season-ending knee injury in anticipation of Stojakovic's eventual release. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Peja Stojakovic, Alexis Ajinca 

As for a more substantial deal, Colangelo said he simply didn’t see one for Stojakovic in the offing. “We explored multiple (trade) scenarios and nothing looked promising whatsoever,” said Colangelo. Toronto Star

Toronto Raptors, Peja Stojakovic 

The Dallas Mavericks have quickly received a verbal commitment from the just-released Peja Stojakovic that he intends to sign with Dallas upon clearing waivers, according to sources close to the situation. Sources told ESPN.com that the Mavericks, meanwhile, are closing in on a separate trade with Toronto by week's end -- sending little-used center Alexis Ajinca to Toronto -- to create a roster spot for Stojakovic without having to let newcomer Sasha Pavlovic go. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Peja Stojakovic, Alexis Ajinca 

Sources told ESPN.com that the Mavericks secured permission from Toronto last week to speak to Stojakovic's agent, David Bauman, to see if the former All-Star sharpshooter would have interest in playing in Dallas after his eventual buyout, which had been anticipated since November when Raptors president Bryan Colangelo immediately raised the possibility of letting Stojakovic go after acquiring him from New Orleans in a Nov. 20 deal that landed Jarrett Jack and Marcus Banks with New Orleans. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Peja Stojakovic, Alexis Ajinca 

Ajinca, meanwhile, will be dealt to the Raptors along with a 2013 second-round pick that Toronto had sent to Dallas in last year's draft in exchange for the rights to rookie center Solomon Alabi and cash considerations. In return, Dallas will receive the rights to 2007 second-round pick Georgios Printezis (who plays in Spain and is no longer considered an NBA prospect) and create a salary-cap exception equal to Ajinca's $1.5 million salary. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Peja Stojakovic, Alexis Ajinca 

The Toronto Raptors and Peja Stojakovic are close to completing a buyout that will put the former All-Star sharpshooter on the open market, according to sources close to the situation. The deal is expected to be completed later Thursday, sources said. ESPN.com

Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, Peja Stojakovic 

Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com that Stojakovic is determined to return to the Western Conference and join a playoff contender once he clear waivers and becomes a free agent, with three teams at the top of his list: Dallas, New Orleans and the Los Angeles Lakers. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, Peja Stojakovic 

The Mavericks, sources say, are considered the favorite to land Stojakovic. They have minutes to offer at small forward and a well-chronicled need for perimeter shooting. And joining the Mavericks would enable Stojakovic to live within short flying distance of his wife and children, who remained in New Orleans after he was dealt to the Raptors. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, Peja Stojakovic 

Alex Kennedy: Two scenarios I've heard for Peja after buyout: Signing with the Dallas Mavericks or returning to the New Orleans Hornets. Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Peja Stojakovic 

Had quick conversation with Peja in the locker room after the game. He’s been at a sport rehab clinic in New Orleans, says his knee is feeling a lot better and is going to see today if he can get some work done on the court. But I don’t see a way he goes on this trip, which is another three games missed, he’s going to need some practices to get back to close to game speed and I’m guessing it’s going to be at least another couple of weeks so he can get out there and show some level of fitness that other teams will be looking for before there’s any chance of a trade. Toronto Star

Toronto Raptors, Peja Stojakovic, Injuries 

Remember Peja Stojakovic? Guy they got in the Jarrett Jack trade, likely just a rental until the February trade deadline? Well, I’m told his knee’s better – he’s spent some time in New Orleans with doctors and therapists there – and there is a chance he’ll be back on the practice court next week. Now, I don’t think for a second he’s here long-term – if he shows he’s fit, some contender will want him down the stretch – but in these days with the injuries killing the HOTH, there are sure some minutes available for him. Toronto Star

Toronto Raptors, Peja Stojakovic 

The Raptors continue to explore possible trades for recently acquired Peja Stojakovic and his expiring $15 million salary, but sources close to the situation say with increasingly regularity that Stojakovic is far more likely to be bought out by Toronto than dealt again. Financial flexibility to take into the NBA's new frontier of the next labor agreement would appear to appeal more to the Raps than taking on long-term salary. ESPN.com

Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, Trade, Peja Stojakovic 

Peja Stojakovic remains in injury limbo with the Raptors. The veteran forward, obtained from New Orleans on Nov. 20, has missed Toronto’s last eight games because of swelling in his left knee and there is no timetable for his return. Toronto Star

Toronto Raptors, Peja Stojakovic, Injuries 

Kostas Papanikolaou(2.03-SF) and Marko Keselj(2.09-SF) have been recruited to the cause but it seems that Papanikolaou has only started his Euroleague career and Keselj is finding it difficult to adjust to a team like Olympiakos where playing time is not abundant. So this rumor comes from gossip column "Svetlana" of basketblog.gr and it says that although a strict economic policy has been outlined by the owners of Olympiakos the possibility of another addition is not unlikely. The rumor says that Predrag Stojakovic(2.08-SF) is likely to think about moving to Greece and Olympiakos if the compensation fee that he gets from Toronto is adequate. That means that he would be willing to perhaps sign a contract with Olympiakos. He was recently traded to Toronto as a part of a 5 player deal that landed Jerryd Bayless (1.91-PG) and Predrag Stojakovic to Toronto. The Hoop

Toronto Raptors, Peja Stojakovic, Olympiakos, Greece 

While Peja Stojakovic is in the running for the starting power forward job in Toronto, don't be surprised if he is moved once again before February's trade deadline comes. Sources say that Stojakovic could still be traded and several teams that held discussions with the Hornets remain interested in the forward. Stojakovic is prepared for anything and could find himself on a third roster before the season is over. HoopsWorld

Toronto Raptors, Trade, Peja Stojakovic 

The overwhelming sense in Toronto, according to multiple parties consulted, is that Peja Stojakovic is more likely to leave the Raptors by trade rather than buyout before the deadline. At least that's the Raps' plan. Yet if no follow-up swap materializes before Feb. 24 involving Stojakovic's $15 million expiring contract, he's a virtual lock to be bought out by the Raps before March 1, which would enable Peja to take his forever-dangerous J -- Dallas watched him ring up a quick 17 points in just 19 minutes this month -- to the contender of his choosing for the stretch run. ESPN.com

Toronto Raptors, Trade, Peja Stojakovic 

Holly MacKenzie: "Peja is the best shooter I've ever seen in my life. He's an automatic assist. That's what we called him with the Hornets." - Jerryd Bayless Twitter

Toronto Raptors, Peja Stojakovic, Jerryd Bayless 

Ryan McNeill: Colangelo also said that the team would look into a trade or buyout if Peja Stojakovic doesn't like his role here in Toronto. Twitter

Toronto Raptors, Trade, Peja Stojakovic 

Eric Smith: For those asking, as reported already, Stojakovic and Bayless won't be with the team til Wednesday Twitter

Toronto Raptors, Peja Stojakovic, Jerryd Bayless 

Demps on Saturday acquired point guard Jarrett Jack, center David Andersen and combo guard Marcus Banks from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for forward Peja Stojakovic and backup guard Jerryd Bayless, whom the Hornets had obtained from Portland five days before the start of the regular season. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Peja Stojakovic, Jarrett Jack, Jerryd Bayless, David Andersen