It turns out the Lakers are not in a hiring freeze.
After spending the summer searching, the team has hired its second assistant general manager. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the team is hiring Eric Amsler from the Miami Heat.
Amsler served as the vice president of player personnel in Miami.
Amsler held a number of roles in his two decades with the Heat. According to the team’s website, he oversaw the franchise’s scouting department and served as general manager of the team’s G League affiliate. While it’s unclear if he will hold the same role in regard to the South Bay Lakers, he will likely hold a similar role when it comes to scouting and player personnel.
Prior to becoming the team’s VP of Player Personnel, he held a host of jobs with the franchise. As listed by the Heat, here were his various positions over the last 22 years:
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Scouting and Information Coordinator (2005-07)
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Scouting and Player Personnel Coordinator (2007-14)
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Director of Scouting Operations (2015-18)
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Director of Scouting/Assistant Director of Player Personnel/Assistant General Manager, Sioux Falls Skyforce (2018-19)
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Director, Player Personnel/General Manager, Sioux Falls Skyforce (2019-23)
During his exit interview back in the spring, President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka stated that the team planned to hire two assistant general managers. They made their first hire by bringing Rohan Ramadas, a stats and analytics specialist, over from the Pelicans.
Once the ownership hoopla started, namely in Mark Walter selling his majority stake to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner, many wondered or expected there to be a hiring freeze, leaving the second assistant GM spot unfilled. Fortunately for the team, that proved not to be the case and now they can move forward with a front office fitting a franchise of the Lakers’ stature.
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