Not since 2006 has there been this much excitement leading up to a Mavericks season. A trip to the Finals last season gave fans a taste of the good life, and now they want to see their team take the final step. The Mavs responded to the disappointment of their Finals loss by finally bringing in the coveted free agent, in this case Klay Thompson. While the preseason provided some interesting insights, there's little to chew on considering Luka Doncic didn't play a second and key contributors' minutes were limited. This means that Dallas still has many pressing questions unanswered before today's season opener against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

Here's what to keep an eye on as the Mavs try to finish the job:

What impact will Thompson have?

Nico Harrison said last week that last year's team was “a step away.” So he went and got him. Thompson has something on his shoulder and something to prove. He came here because he knew he would be a perfect fit for us – he had heard about the welcoming culture and wanted to win. All of these things bring joy to his game.

Remember, it wasn't the defense that let the Mavs down in their Finals loss to the Celtics. Dallas failed to break the 100-point mark in all four losses as Boston collapsed its defense against Doncic and Kyrie Irving and challenged the Mavericks to three-point shots. These shots did not fail.

We know Thompson can shoot, but let's dig a little deeper and see how well he does it and how that fits into this system. The Mavs attempted the most corner threes in the league last year, but made them at a rate (36.5 percent) that was only the 28th best. They left a ton of meat on the bone. Over the last nine years of his career (NBA tracking data only goes back that far), Thompson made corner threes at a rate of 43.1 percent in the regular season and playoffs, when the opponent is better and the defense is tighter achieved, which corresponds to 23.5 percent of all threes he made. In the last season, which some call an off-year, he achieved a rate of 40.2 percent. The Mavs' system is designed to maximize corner threes, and the expectation is that Thompson will look even better with Doncic and Irving drawing so much attention.

Thompson made 219 catch-and-shoot three-pointers last year, the second-most in the league. In fact, 81 percent of his threes are catch-and-shoot, and he has made 42.2 percent over the last nine seasons, including 40.6 percent and 38.1 percent over the last two seasons. In 77 games last season, he scored 24 or more points 21 times and in 36 games he shot better than 40 percent from distance.

But it's not just his shot; It's also about how the defense has to pay attention to him and what that means for spacing. Thompson will act as a facilitator, finding open cutters and delivering lobs to the big men. The defense won't be able to double anyone. And playing with Irving while Doncic sits, Dallas could run some sets from the Warriors system as the ball and body move more. The crime is actually aggravated.

So what about the defense?

The run to the Finals began in early March on the back of a stifling defense that led the league in shielding opponents and protecting the rim. The best proof of this was the playoffs, especially the series against the Thunder and Timberwolves. Derrick Jones Jr. was assigned to guard the opponent's best outside player. He left the team as a free agent. How will the new-look Mavs maintain defensive intensity? Expect more changes as Dereck Lively II showed in the preseason that he can defend in space. We will also see some zone and the core concept of directing players to the tall trees protecting the basket will continue.

Thompson will play at the 3 when Doncic and Irving are on the floor, but he will also see plenty of time at the 2 when one of them is on the floor. If there's any clues to last season, that could be hugely significant; The Warriors' defensive strength improved when Thompson played the 2. But regardless of where Thompson lines up and how he performs on that side, his spacing and shooting ability should make him a net asset. Because as Jason Kidd likes to say, an improved offense is also the Mavs' best defense.

Who is the X Factor?

Without PJ Washington, the Mavericks would not have reached the Finals. After being acquired at the trade deadline, he was challenged by Nico Harrison to be a defensive stopper and he stuck to his guns. This season, Washington will be the player opponents pick defensively in a “pick your poison” scenario. And without Jones, he will be tasked with the toughest perimeter and ball-handling duties on defense. It's a tall order, but Washington knows what's expected of him. He said last week his goal was to shoot 40 percent from three and make an All-NBA defensive team. Its importance cannot be overemphasized.

What can we expect from Lively and Daniel Gafford?

Last year, early in the series against the Clippers and Thunder, defenses cheated shooters and surrounded the two big men to deny them lobs. With Thompson on the floor as a shooting threat, that becomes more difficult. This is also because the lob is no longer the only offensive weapon for big men. In the preseason, Lively showed he could attack the post switch with either hand, and in the preseason finale against the Bucks he showed off some nifty running floaters. Both centers can also facilitate from the elbow.

Yes, we saw a Lively corner in the final, but let's not let that overwhelm us. He and Gafford will both start. They rotate in six-minute increments and the player with the best game finishes.

What will the rotation look like?

The top six are Doncic, Irving, Thompson, Washington, Lively and Gafford. Freshmen Marshall and Grimes round out the top eight. Maxi Kleber will be the backup at the 4, and with Dante Exum sidelined for a few months with a wrist injury that required surgery, it looks like Jaden Hardy will take over the backup minutes ahead of Spencer Dinwiddie. He'll also have a chance to keep her around for a while: Hardy signed a three-year, $18 million contract extension on Monday.

Marshall is more physical than Jones and can guard all positions. And he has handles on offense. Grimes, a 37 percent shooter from deep, isn't afraid of the moment. He can defend, and when his shot failed against the Bucks, he found another way to be useful by grabbing ten rebounds.

Hardy will have two roles. When playing with Doncic or Irving as an additional ball-handler, he is tasked with attacking the basket and scoring, weakening defenses by lobbing and setting up for others, and hitting three-pointers (40 percent in the preseason). When Doncic or Irving sit, Hardy has to run the offense and not just score. After making the playoffs and having a strong camp, he seems ready for the challenge.

How should the Mavs approach the season?

After a finals defeat, teams can choose one of two paths: get discouraged and take a downturn, or remember what the air feels like near the mountain top and do whatever it takes to finish the rest of the climb create. Expectations are high and the Mavs aren't shying away from them. This team has a championship mentality, and without it you don't win. Sometimes it takes a loss to understand what it takes to go all the way.

Details, consistency and the ability to stay connected are important, and that's what Kidd preached at camp. When injuries inevitably arise or a break is needed, depth will help the Mavs win regular-season games. The goal is to have a full tank and be healthy by mid-April. Aim for a top four spot so you don't have to watch every series on the road. The MVP usually comes a year after a stellar season, and I see Doncic winning it and the Mavs getting 54 wins.

The West is once again under strain, but there are also many question marks elsewhere. The Thunder made the necessary additions, but after having the healthiest team in the league last year, they were already hit by the news that Isaiah Hartenstein would be sidelined for six weeks. How will the new-look Timberwolves perform? Is Denver losing a war of attrition? Do the Warriors and Lakers have another run ahead of them? Are the Grizzlies back? Will the Kings bounce back with DeMar DeRozan? Are the Rockets ready for the next step?

We can't fast forward to April, but I know two things. First, there will be ups and downs along the way. Second, the Mavs' success in answering their own key questions will go a long way in determining whether they live up to Bum Phillips' great mantra. Last season, Dallas came knocking on the door. This year they're going to try and throw the son of a bitch in.