ESPN's NBA Draft Analyst Mike Schmitz is finalizing a deal to become an assistant GM with the Portland Trail Blazers, as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski.
New Blazers GM Joe Cronin targeted Schmitz to take a lead role in player evaluation and hired him away from ESPN, for which Schmitz has traveled the world evaluating amateur basketball talent since 2017.
Schmitz has a deep prospect knowledge across multiple continents that Cronin expects will play a significant role in shaping the Blazers' roster, via the report.
Schmitz is expected to remain with ESPN through the June 23 NBA draft, and formally begin his duties with Portland in July.
The Trail Blazers have the seventh overall pick in the 2022 draft.
Alongside his media duties, the 32-year-old Schmitz also serves as an assistant coach for the Ugandan national team.
Schmitz's conversation with Rokas Jokubaitis: