Mavericks hire former ESPN draft analyst Mike Schmitz as GM

From breaking down prospects on TV to running a front office.

Mike Schmitz is headed to Dallas as the Mavericks’ new general manager, the team announced, placing the former ESPN draft analyst under president Masai Ujiri.

Schmitz spent five years at ESPN as one of the top voices on the draft before jumping to Portland in 2022, where he worked as assistant GM. In that role, he was involved in everything from scouting and player evaluation to roster strategy and long-term planning.

Now he takes a bigger step.

In Dallas, Schmitz will oversee the day-to-day basketball operations and help align the organization’s vision under Ujiri, who made it clear this was a targeted hire.

“Mike is one of the most respected evaluators and basketball minds in the NBA,” Ujiri said. “He brings intelligence, discipline, humility and a relentless work ethic to everything he does.”

Schmitz’s background is a little different than most GMs. Before ESPN, he worked with DraftExpress, did G League video work and has also spent time as an assistant coach with the Ugandan national team.

In Portland, he was part of a draft group that brought in players such as Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson and Donovan Clingan.

Now he gets a bigger seat at the table.

And a much louder voice in how a roster is built.