"Jason Terry has been on the wrong end of some big-time performances by Peja Stojakovic, so when news circulated that the Mavericks seem likely to acquire the veteran shooter, Terry smiled.

"He'll be very welcomed," Terry said. "He can shoot. And I mean big shots, real big shots."

The Mavericks know they can't replace Caron Butler , who has been lost to a knee injury. But they are on the brink of assembling an array of candidates to help fill the void. Two sources said that they are believed to be the first choice of Stojakovic, the veteran shooter who was waived Thursday by the Toronto Raptors and will be a free agent when he clears waivers Monday.

Several teams are interested in Stojakovic, and there remains a chance that he could have a change of mind. But the Mavericks put the wheels in motion to make room for him without losing impressive newcomer Sasha Pavlovic.

In a separate deal, they were finalizing a trade of big man Alexis Ajinca to the Raptors, along with a future second-round pick and cash. Owner Mark Cuban said that deal, which is expected to be approved by the NBA today, had no bearing on the potential Stojakovic signing."