Ultimate test has arrived to determine how modern JJ Redick's Lakers really are

First-year head coach JJ Redick has been praised for helping the Los Angeles Lakers take a step into the modern era. That all begins with how the team is orchestrating its offense, with a stronger emphasis being placed on three-point shooting and off-ball action.

If the Lakers are as ready as they seem to take the NBA by storm, then it will be proven during their upcoming encounter with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Lakers will head home to host the Thunder on Nov. 29 after playing road games on Nov. 26 and 27 against the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs. It'll be a monumental test for a team that's seemingly evolved on the offensive end of the floor.

Oklahoma City has effectively picked up where it left off when it won 57 games in 2023-24, once again setting the pace for the Western Conference early in 2024-25 at 14-4.

A win over the Thunder would be the biggest the Lakers have secured all season. That alone is reason to be intrigued by the possibility of securing a victory that would send the team into December with a strong sense of positive momentum.

Beyond the obvious appeal of a win over Oklahoma City, however, is the simple fact that this will be a significant test for a team that's attempting to modernize its efforts.

Thunder pose ultimate test of how ready Lakers are for modern NBA

The Thunder are led by an MVP candidate in two-time All-NBA First Team honoree Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Gilgeous-Alexander is a beacon of the modern era as a 6'6" guard who can attack off the bounce, space the floor with his jump shot, facilitate the offense, and defend both on and off the ball.

At 29.5 points, 6.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.1 blocks, and 2.0 three-point field goals made per game, Gilgeous-Alexander will test how ready the Lakers' backcourt is for All-NBA competition.

Beyond Gilgeous-Alexander is a starting lineup that optimizes spacing above all else. 6'6" forward Jalen Williams is an All-NBA candidate in his own right, averaging 21.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.2 steals, 1.0 block, and 2.1 three-point field goals made.

He's one of the many threats the Thunder utilize to misdirect teams into thinking their ideal spacing will result in an overemphasis on three-point shooting.

Oklahoma City currently ranks No. 11 in the NBA in offensive rating, No. 1 in defensive rating, and No. 9 in three-point field goals attempted. Those are certainly commendable rankings, but their focus on offense is creating spacing to run a diverse and dynamic system that emphasizes scoring at all three levels.

In addition to shooting the lights out from beyond the arc, the Thunder rank fifth in the NBA in percentage of points via midrange jump shots and 12th in points in the paint.

That well-oiled machine of an offensive attack is bolstered by the return of center Isaiah Hartenstein—who boasts career averages of 2.1 offensive rebounds per game and 4.3 per 36 minutes. For a Lakers team that ranks No. 26 in the NBA in defensive rating and is prone to allowing big men to bully them on the glass, that makes Oklahoma City a borderline horrifying matchup.

If the Lakers are going to declare themselves as prepared for the modern era, however, this game will be the ultimate opportunity to prove how ready they are.