"The Peja Stojakovic Raptors era was all of two games.

Unless you count the 26 consecutive ones he sat out with a swollen left knee.

Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo brought it to an end yesterday when he bought out Stojakovic's $15-million US contract for a "nominal amount" and put the 12-year veteran on waivers.

The big value on his contract means Stojakovic will not be claimed and then will be free to sign wherever he wants.

ESPN.com was reporting last night the Dallas Mavericks had a deal in principle to bring Stojakovic to the Lone Star State.

Stojakovic was acquired as part of the Jerryd Bayless trade that sent Jarrett Jack, David Andersen and Marcus Banks weighty contract to New Orleans.

Stojakovic did the Raptors a favour by waiving a fairly significant portion of a trade kicker (about $400,000) to make the financials of the deal work as per league rules.

At the time of the trade, Colangelo said he would attempt to trade Stojakovic for another asset, buy him out or let him play in Toronto.

"The playing part didn't work out necessarily," Colangelo said Thursday night. "He did injure his knee. He is pretty close to getting back out there."

But it was Stojakvoic's willingness to give up that $400,000 that ultimately led to Thursday's decision.

"He didn't need to do that, but probably did so for reasons that were beneficial to him, but at the end of the day it allowed the deal to go through and that's something we didn't forget," Colangelo said.

The deal also helps the Raptors in that it takes away any temptation they may have had in playing Stojakovic over one of their younger developing players. Head coach Jay Triano admitted Thursday he talked with Colangelo about sending Stojakovic, who has not been with the team on this five-game road trip, down to Orlando as insurance should Linas Kleiza not be able to play for a third game in a row."