Pistons Re-Sign Guard Lindsey Hunter

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Eight days after they traded him, the Detroit Pistons re-signed guard Lindsey Hunter.

The Pistons also placed Mehmet Okur on the injured list with a lower back strain. Okur, averaging 9.9 points and 6.5 rebounds in 23.3 minutes, has missed five games due to back spasms this season.

Hunter was dealt to Boston in the Feb. 18 three-team trade that also sent Chucky Atkins to the Celtics and Bob Sura and Zeljko Rebraca to Atlanta in exchange for Rasheed Wallace and Mike James. The Celtics waived Hunter.

Pistons coach Larry Brown said the team needed some backcourt depth.

"Right now, we have three guards, and Mike (James) is scared to death, so much has come at him. At least Lindsey has some familiarity, he will give us some defensive presence that Bobby (Sura) gave us.

Hunter, 33, returned to the Pistons roster for the second time in his 12-year NBA career when he was acquired from Toronto in exchange for Michael Curry on Aug. 28.

Prior to the trade, the 6-foot-2 guard spent 39 games on the injured list with a strained left medial collateral ligament. He averaged 3.7 points and one rebound in 11 games.