TORONTO -- The Detroit Pistons traded team captain Michael Curry to the Toronto Raptors for their former point guard Lindsey Hunter Thursday.

Small forward Curry, 35, was coveted by new Toronto head coach Kevin O'Neill, previously an assistant at Detroit.

"Michael is a solid veteran who is known for his defensive ability," Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald said in a statement. "Kevin coached Michael the past two seasons in Detroit and highly recommended him to us."

Curry is the president of the NBA's players' union. He started 77 games for the Pistons last season, averaging 3.0 points and 1.6 rebounds in 19.9 minutes, Reuters reported.

Hunter, bothered by knee, hip and back injuries, played only 29 games for Toronto last season after being acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers.

He played seven seasons in Detroit after being drafted by the Pistons.