Five Offseason Moves for the Oklahoma City Thunder

Looking ahead and remaining positive can sometimes be hard for teams that didn't make the playoffs.

If you're an Oklahoma City Thunder fan, however, you should be brimming with optimism.

As the days of the offseason progress, Thunder fans should expect something big going into the team's second season. Every general manager wants the team that he puts together to mesh, but you never know.

To continue the progression, Thunder General Manager Kevin Presti needs to consider these five moves that might help make the Thunder into a playoff contender next year.

Yes, you heard me right, next season!

1. Draft Blake Griffin. Yes, this depends on how the ping pong balls fall, but, let us assume the draft lottery on May 19 does not go our way. Come May 20, the Thunder will begin to spin their wheels trying to see how to get Blake Griffin. Why? Not only is Griffin the best overall draft-eligible player, but, he is also a local legend who will no doubt help improve the team tremendously.

2. Drop the dead weight. Namely Damien Wilkins and Earl Watson. Quite simply when you owe Earl Watson $6 million and choose not to play him or Wilkins, your days are numbered as being a Thunder player.

3. Pull off an intriguing trade to excite the fans. This might come in trying to attain Griffin but, if that does not happen, try to acquire a guy like Glen Davis, Moe Williams, or even Tony Allen. Davis would help improve the Thunder's inside presence. Williams would provide more long-range accuracy. Allen would add more athleticism.

4. Extend the contracts of Thabo Sefolosha and Shaun Livingston. Consistency is something a general manager is always looking for. These guys continued to improve as the season advanced. Do not lose these guys!

5. Try to find some diamonds in the rough. How do you do this? Have a continued commitment to the NBA summer leagues in July. As teams use this time to look at their incoming rookies or young players, you never know what you might find heading into the pre-season slate.

So, if you're a Thunder fan wondering on if you should stay on the wagon or get off it before it crashes, no worries, get on it because this marriage will be continue to be a happy one! Go Thunder go!