"The strange and complex economics of the NBA finds legendary shooter Peja Stojakovic wearing Raptors white. For how long? Even he doesn't have a clue.

It may be a month. It may be until the February trade deadline. It may be all season.

"I don't know," Stojakovic said, shrugging his broad shoulders and smiling. "I really don't."

He is living a Toronto hotel right now, with no plans to go searching for any place more permanent. His wife is in New Orleans. His kids are in school in Louisiana, and without any kind of regret, he is, in fact, happy to be here.

And in the unhappy-to-be-here NBA, where Toronto has been characterized as cable-challenged, educationally inept and strip-club infested - among other things - Stojakovic is not about to offer a discouraging word.

This is kind of a new situation for Toronto, although not entirely.

This city has gotten used to seeing players of considerable talent spend some of their final days here. It happened with Dave Winfield and Paul Molitor, with Alex Mogilny and Joe Nieuwendyk, Jack Morris and Dave Stewart, and in a not very memorable way with Hakeem Olajuwon.

But all those situations were different. They were brought here to take a winning team and make it better. Stojakovic is a chess piece for Bryan Colangelo. And if this situation works out best, everybody can end up winning.

At worst, the Raptors get an expiring contract, Stojakovic gets a chance to play some and attract another suitor, who just may want to sign him up for another chance to shine in the NBA.

When you can shoot, and he can, it's like left-handers in baseball: There is always a place for you in the NBA.

And in the long and rather troubled history of the Raptors, almost by default, Stojakovic becomes one of their most decorated players."