The Lakers will hire Heat executive Eric Amsler as second assistant general manager, according to ESPN sources Shamsu Charanya (Link to Twitter). He joins Rohan Ramadasswhich was hired in May, as assistants under H.M Rob Pelinka.
Amsler served as vice president of player personnel in Miami and was general manager of the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the team’s G League affiliate. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin writes in full narrative on the go. Amsler joined the Heat as an intern in 2004 and was promoted to several positions related to scouting, personnel and G League operations.
Pyalinka said to him press conference on the results of the season that the Lakers plan to hire two assistant general managers — one to specialize in pro and draft scouting and player development, which will be Amsler’s responsibility, and the other in strategy, specifically analytics and the salary cap, a role Ramadas already fills.
McMenamin notes that this is the Lakers’ first major front office move since then Mark Walter agreed to sell the team to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger last month.
Amsler was named the 2023-24 G League Manager of the Year after the Skyforce made its second straight appearance in the Western Conference Semifinals. Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel notes in material for subscribers only. His roles with the organization included Coordinator of Scouting and Information (2005-07), Coordinator of Scouting and Player Personnel (2007-14), Director of Scouting (2015-18), Director of Scouting/Assistant Director of Player Personnel/Assistant GM of the Skyforce (2018-19) and then CEO of the Skyforce (2019-23) before being promoted to his current position.
Winderman says it’s unusual for a long-serving executive like Amsler to leave Heath. Team president Pat Riley is preparing for his 32nd year with the organization as vice president of basketball operations and assistant general manager Adam Simon. General manager Andy Ellisburgh enters its 30th season.
Winderman suggests that the former Heat player Keith Askinswho has been with the organization in one capacity or another for 36 years, may take over Amsler’s duties. Askins has led the team’s scouting department for the past 12 years and is currently listed as the director of college and pro scouting while serving as the Skyforce’s assistant general manager.
