Blazers To Hire ESPN Draft Analyst Mike Schmitz As Assistant GM

The Trail Blazers are finalizing a deal to hire ESPN NBA Draft analyst Mike Schmitz as an assistant general manager, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Schmitz, 32, has been with ESPN since 2017, joining Jonathan Givony as the network’s top draft insiders.

He will report to Blazers GM Joe Cronin, who had been recruiting Schmitz to a “lead role in player development,” Wojnarowski wrote. Schmitz will also be in charge of Portland’s international and domestic scouting departments.

Prior to joining ESPN, Schmitz worked as a video coordinator of the Bakersfield Jam and an assistant coach Ugandan national team.