Last week's Bucks trade of Desmond Mason for Jamaal Magliore was a real shocker -- that is, until you thought about it for a second.

The importance of the popular and offensive-minded Mason was diminished greatly the day the Bucks signed free agent forward Bobby Simmons this offseason. Of course, you already knew that. But Mason's value was diminished even further relative to the team's primary weakness this preseason, which happened to be frontcourt talent.

Despite the addition of Andrew Bogut and the return of Dan Gadzuric and Joe Smith, the Bucks entered camp with little in the way of experienced inside presence. This became even more apparent in the preseason as coach Terry Stotts juggled different combinations in Smith's absence (he missed most of camp with a knee injury), hoping to find an adequate interior combination. As the return of 37-year-old Ervin Johnson demonstrates, the Bucks are definitely in search of answers in the paint.

Stotts and lame-duck general manager Larry Harris weren't finding any after the first half dozen exhibition games, so they turned to the trade market and found an available Magliore. By offering both Mason and a first-rounder in 2006, the deal was cemented. Shocking in some ways, entirely logical and practically predictable in others.

Now, whether or not Harris or owner Herb Kohl qualify as a "snake in the grass," as Mason called his former GM, is debatable. But neither can be accused of gross inaction.

Harris needs the Bucks to make the playoffs this year, not in 2006-07 or any season beyond that. Sure, success in those seasons would be nice, but as far as Harris is concerned, that only matters if he's still around. And if the Bucks miss the playoffs this year, he probably won't be.

Opinions are split on if they will or not. Because of its many offseason changes -- Bogut, Simmons, the return of T.J. Ford and now Magliore - Milwaukee is a popular pick to surprise in the East. And because of the style of play that Stotts is promising -- an up-and-down tempo favoring a smaller lineup -- a few are even comparing them to the Phoenix Suns, a team that ran its way from 29 wins in 2003-04 to 62 in the following year.

If health is taken out of the equation, which it never is, the Bucks will improve. Ford is a difference-maker in the same way, if not to the same degree, that Steve Nash is for the Suns. And Simmons, a very strong defender who also averaged 16.4 points last year, and Magliore should insure the Bucks improve their opposing field goal percentage, which ranked 27th in the NBA. Ford's quickness should also help generate more turnovers, a stat the Bucks ranked 30th in last year.

Despite those tangible signs of improvement, 10 of 12 ESPN.com experts picked the Bucks to miss the playoffs in its season preview. Regardless, local enthusiasm is high, and with the Packers all but out of the playoff hunt, more attention naturally shifts to the Bradley Center.

Where should that attention be focused? First off, on waterbug point guard Ford. His return is as vital as it is inspiring, and he looked great in the preseason (14.8 ppg, 5.8 apg, 2.2 steals). Harris and the rest of the state will hold its collective breath if Ford takes a hard fall, but he appears fine thus far.

While Bogut is obviously a major story, Simmons should be a more important player this season (if not, Bogut could be an instant star). The league's reigning Most Improved Player doubled his scoring average last year, and he can defend at shooting guard or either forward spot. With Simmons, Magliore and Ford on the floor in the fourth quarter, the Bucks will be far less likely to let 6- or 8-point leads slip away in the final minutes.

And, finally, while Michael Redd's offense is paramount, the scoring contributions of guards Maurice Williams and Charlie Bell could boost the Bucks offensive depth. Bell is a bit undersized at 6-3, but he's got a Vinnie Johnson/instant offense feel to his game. Williams showed bursts of talent last year while Ford was injured, and he will be better served as a backup point guard or as a complement to Ford in a small lineup.

The Bucks aren't a lock for the playoffs or even a .500 record, but Stotts and Harris have more talent to work with. If they can keep it on the floor and out of the training room, the Bucks should be playing some important games in April.