The Los Angeles Lakers continue reshaping their front office, hiring longtime Miami Heat executive Eric Amsler as an assistant general manager.
Amsler spent more than two decades with the Heat, most recently serving as vice president of player personnel. He also served as general manager of Miami’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
The move fills the second assistant general manager position the Lakers planned to add this offseason. Los Angeles previously hired former New Orleans Pelicans executive Rohan Ramadas to oversee salary cap management, analytics and strategy.
More Than Two Decades With the Heat
Amsler’s path through the Heat organization began as an intern during the 2004-05 season. He steadily moved up Miami’s basketball operations department, serving as scouting and information coordinator, scouting and player personnel coordinator, and director of scouting operations.
Amsler eventually became director of player personnel and general manager of the Skyforce before being promoted to vice president of player personnel. His time running Sioux Falls gave Amsler experience not only evaluating talent, but also building and developing a roster at the G League level.
During his tenure as general manager, the Skyforce produced 24 NBA call-ups and made three playoff appearances. Amsler was also named the 2023-24 NBA G League Executive of the Year.
What the Lakers Were Looking For
Amsler’s experience is what Lakers president Rob Pelinka said the team wanted in a new executive. Pelinka previously explained that the second assistant general manager position would focus on “player draft and evaluation processes,” specifically mentioning pro scouting, draft scouting, and player development. These areas have been central to Amsler’s career.
In Miami, he oversaw the team’s scouting department and evaluated draft, NBA, G League, and international prospects.
The Lakers now have two new assistant general managers with different areas of expertise. Ramadas brings a background in analytics, strategy, and salary cap management, while Amsler provides extensive experience in scouting and player personnel.
What Amsler Brings to the Lakers
Amsler’s experience could be especially valuable as the Lakers try to build lasting depth around their main players.
Teams that want to compete often don’t have top draft picks or much cap space. This makes it even more important to find talent later in the draft, spot overlooked players, and develop affordable contributors.
Amsler spent over 20 years with the Heat, a team known for using scouting and player development to strengthen its roster.
His G League experience could also benefit the Lakers. Amsler has already overseen an NBA affiliate and helped players make the jump to the league, experience that could potentially translate to Los Angeles’ developmental system and the South Bay Lakers.
The Lakers will ultimately judge the hire by the players Amsler helps identify and develop. But after adding specialists on both sides of roster construction, Los Angeles has given its front office additional resources in analytics, cap management, scouting, and player development.
