After standing by Ron Artest through the aftermath of the Brawl at Auburn Hills last season, Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird is finally speaking out about his oft-troubled forward's most recent request that the organization trade him.

On Monday, Bird spoke with the Indianapolis Star, the newspaper that first reported on Artest's desire for a trade.

"I don't know if this is the right wording, but I felt betrayed," Bird told the Star. "We're disappointed. Things happen, maybe it's a good thing. He's a very talented player. I always liked working with him and how he went about things on the basketball court. He's a top-12 player in the league, but we're in a situation where we have to move on.

"I think enough is enough. ... I think Ronnie will do fine but not here."

Bird recently returned from a 10-day scouting trip in Europe, which could be one of the reasons a trade for Artest has yet to be completed.

Further complicating trade possibilities is the fact that Artest is due to make $6.8 million this season, a bargain for someone of Artest's talent. Indiana now has to figure out a way to trade for maximum talent without going over the team's salary cap.

Bird told the Star that he and CEO Donnie Walsh would prefer to send Artest to a Western Conference team.

"Any time you deal a player, you would like him to go out of the conference," Bird said to the newspaper. "We're looking at the West, but if it's the East, that's how it's going to be. Whether we get a draft choice or a player, we're going to make sure it's the right deal. We've done enough to back Ronnie. We're in a position where we have to protect the franchise now."