"As the NBA signed off on the trade of Alexis Ajinca to Toronto, clearing the way for the Mavericks to quickly sign Peja Stojakovic, president Donnie Nelson had an easy time explaining what the 6-10 gunner will bring to the Mavericks.

"He has to be guarded," he said, "when he enters the building."

That will open things up for everybody else, theoretically. And that's why the Mavericks have been pursuing Stojakovic for weeks since Caron Butler was lost.

The signing became official Monday afternoon after attorneys for the league went through their regular review of situations like this, which involve more than one transaction between two teams. That, as much as protests of other Western Conference teams, delayed the trade of Ajinca. And the Mavericks didn't have a roster spot for Stojakovic until the trade was OK'd.

"Yeah, it's understood," Nelson said of the league's investigation. "It's just part of the NBA landscape. We respect the process."

The bottom line is that Stojakovic was going to be a Maverick whether the Ajinca trade happened or not.

Ajinca was dealt along with cash to pay the remainder of his contract for this season, according to owner Mark Cuban, and a future second-round draft pick for long-forgotten 2007 second-round draft pick Georgios Printezis, who no longer is considered an NBA-caliber player. The Mavericks also will get a trade exception equal to Ajinca's salary, about $1.47 million.

Minutes after that deal was official, Stojakovic signed. The 12-year veteran was at Mavericks' practice on Monday, but could not participate. After signing, he was able to work with the coaching staff and he will go through today's shootaround. Coach Rick Carlisle said Stojakovic likely won't play against the Los Angeles Clippers and may not play Thursday against Houston."