Next steps for Thunder: To-do list isn't lengthy for this Finals contender

The Oklahoma City Thunder looked like an NBA Finals-caliber team most of the season, but they can take solace in knowing their second-round playoff exit is a disappointment. 

All series losses sting, but the sting doesn't last as long when things are going as well as they are for the Thunder, the league's second-youngest team.

Still, the postseason loss to Dallas showcased minor holes on OKC's roster — the holes critics noted throughout the season — so the Thunder must make moves on the edges to set themselves up for a Finals run.

Bigger big men

Chet Holmgren (16.5 PPG) was stunning in his rookie season, and Jaylin Williams brings a nice change of pace to Thunder bench lineups. Outside of those two, however, OKC doesn't have another high-quality frontcourt player.

That should — and doubtlessly will — change this offseason, with plenty of options to choose from on the free-agent market.

Isaiah Hartenstein is the dream fit, but New York will do everything in its power to retain him. Still, any one of Nic Claxton, Jonas Valanciunas or even Mason Plumlee would make rotations a lot easier when head coach Mark Daigneault's team matches up against an opponent with size. 

Simply having another center will do wonders. He doesn't need to be a world-beater, just someone who can set screens and rebound well. 

Cash in on the hypothetical

GM Sam Presti has been unparalleled in his aggression to acquire draft picks over the past few years, but now, his team is ready to compete at the highest level, so those draft picks feel less important. 

If anything, adding more young players could just create logjams at positions the Thunder are already strong at. 

So why not call up rebuilding teams and see if they'll take those picks for established veterans who are, essentially, wasting away on teams that are years from winning? Would Portland part with Jerami Grant? Does Toronto really have use for Jakob Poeltl? 

Regardless, Presti should be aggressive in adding pieces that help now, especially if all he has to sacrifice are picks that don't have a clear benefit for OKC anyway.

Keep moving up

Nothing OKC did this season was a fluke.

Superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander somehow improved, Jalen Williams will be an All-Star sooner rather than later and Holmgren proved why OKC selected him with the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. 

As long as OKC continues to buy into Daigneault's system, its next steps are essentially just more of the same: Stay the course and great things will come. 

The city is behind these Thunder already, that's for sure.