Fact: The Oklahoma City Thunder are among the best teams this season.
Fact: They have 15 first-round and around 20 future draft picks until 2030.
Are they title contenders? It's not a fact yet.
They did not make the playoffs last year, but they made a leap this season led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the team's lone All-Star.
They have repeatedly shown that they can go toe-to-toe with any title contenders, but the franchise still needs improvement.
They are on a roll, but they can get better. General manager Sam Presti must try to make a move and strike while the iron is hot. The West is wide open.
Those first-round draft picks should be put to good use.
1. Second All-Star
In 2010 and 2011, the OKC Thunder saw major improvements in their lineup, led by Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. James Harden was also growing into a star. They reached the Western Conference finals in 2011 before getting broken up.
Presti should use that same formula but via trade instead of a homegrown star.
They should go for an established superstar or one already at an All-Star level.
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Viable options are DeMar DeRozan, whose career probably will not go anywhere with the Chicago Bulls, or Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markannen, who can be with them in the long run.
OKC can use Josh Giddey as a trade asset along with their first-round draft picks.
Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports reported that the Finnish player is no longer untouchable, and the Thunder can sweep in to have someone partner with SGA and get to the next level.
2. Serviceable veteran, three-pointer
SGA needs another option when the offense is not there for him or when the opponent's defensive plan targets him.
Isaiah Joe, Luguentz Dort, and Chet Holmgren are the team's heavy three-point shooters who shoot above league average.
They should get one that will produce the same quality of three-point shooting from the bench.
They can get someone like Deni Avdija (39.1 percent from three) of the Washington Wizards. He is a 6'9 forward who can run and pass and take the role of Giddey but with better defense.
Also perfect for this role is Buddy Hield of the Indiana Pacers and Memphis Grizzlies' Desmond Bane, although he is injured right now.
3. Enforcer
Daniel Gafford should be a trade target for the OKC if they want to keep Chet Holmgren fresh for the playoffs.
The latter is only in his rookie season and already gives more than 100 percent night in and night out.
Gafford, at 6'10, can be a good reliever for Chet. The 25-year-old center has been a key piece for the Washington Wizards defense and can only get better under the right system.
He may be undersized compared to other centers in the league, but he is strong and has good timing. He is capable of pulling a double-double.
Andre Drummond and Kelly Olynyk are also worth considering.
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