Milwaukee Bucks General Manager Larry Harris has done a great deal of work in the past year to turn around a team that finished with an embarrassing 30-52 record in 2004-’05.

He hired coach Terry Stotts, re-signing star shooting guard Michael Redd, drafted Andrew Bogut with the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, traded Desmond Mason for all-star center Jamaal Magloire, and acquired last year’s most improved player Bobby Simmons via free agency. All these moves were instrumental in returning Milwaukee to legitimate playoff contender status.

However, after a rough January stretch, it’s clear that the 2005-’06 Milwaukee Bucks will not be wearing a new ring on their fingers at the end of the season (with the exception of any upcoming wedding plans). Despite the plethora of improvements made by Harris, his squad will fall one roster move shy of an NBA title.

The missing piece? Ron Artest. The disgruntled forward was recently traded from the Indiana Pacers to the Sacramento Kings. If Larry Harris really wants to see Terry Stotts and Co. hoist the NBA championship trophy at the end of the year, he would have made a strong effort to get Artest in Milwaukee.

Put together a deal revolving around Bobby Simmons and Dan Gadzuric, and the Pacers would have never even considered the Kings offer for oft-injured Peja Stojakovic.

But why give away two classy, young players for one who has been in and out of trouble his entire career? Although Simmons has been consistent, he’s only been consistently average and somewhat of a disappointment considering his price tag.

As for Gadzuric, his contract has trade written all over it. Both are expendable if it means adding a former Defensive Player of the Year to a team allowing nearly 100 points a game.

But why trade for a player who once attacked a fan in the stands? No problem. Wisconsin fans already embrace the practice of players entering the seats. Artest can provide the Bucks with their own version of the Lambeau Leap. Call it the Bradley Bound, if you will.

But why trade for a player who could single-handedly destroy everything Harris has built in the last year?

An NBA championship, that’s why.

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