President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Travis Schlenk likened the skills that center Gorgui Dieng can add to the roster to what Dewayne Dedmon gave them from 2017 to 2019: a smart, veteran center who can protect the rim on one end and space the floor on the other. His talents will be needed, especially at the start of the season when Onyeka Okongwu recovers from surgery to repair a torn labrum.
Delon Wright will add depth as a backup point guard but he can be used in other roles, too. Head Coach Nate McMillan noted that there will be times where Wright can team up with starting point guard Trae Young.