Joe Dumars continued his tinkering with the Pistons' roster Thursday, making a trade that could take care of immediate and more pressing future needs.

Pistons captain and starting guard Michael Curry was sent to the Toronto Raptors in a straight-up exchange for guard Lindsey Hunter.

It will be a homecoming of sorts for Hunter, who was the Pistons' top draft pick in 1993 and played for the team for seven seasons.

"We're very comfortable with Lindsey after having him play here in the past," said Dumars, the Pistons' president of basketball operations. "We know what type of energy and effort he brings to the game."

The Curry-Hunter trade brings several implications.

Dumars has been trying to clear salary-cap space for next summer, when center Mehmet Okur becomes a restricted free agent. Okur's stock is rising in the NBA. The Pistons are preparing to deal with a looming high-priced bidding war to keep him, in anticipation of Okur having another breakout season.

Okur is set to earn $1.1 million this season. He made $1 million in his rookie year last season.

Point guard Gilbert Arenas triggered a similar financial frenzy this summer when he became a restricted free agent. He left the Golden State Warriors, signing a six-year, $65 million deal with the Washington Wizards.