The Lakers are adding Eric Amsler to their front office after he spent more than two decades working his way through the Miami Heat organizatio
The Los Angeles Lakers are adding an experienced executive from one of the NBA’s most respected organizations to their revamped front office.
Los Angeles is hiring Miami Heat vice president of player personnel Eric Amsler as an assistant general manager, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Amsler spent more than 22 years with Miami, beginning as an intern before earning multiple promotions in scouting, personnel and G League operations.
Amsler most recently served as Miami’s vice president of player personnel and the general manager of its G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He was named the 2023-24 NBA G League Basketball Executive of the Year after helping construct one of the league’s strongest teams.
Lakers Continue Front-Office Changes
The hiring represents another step in the Lakers’ effort to expand the basketball operations department under president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka.
Los Angeles previously hired former New Orleans Pelicans executive Rohan Ramadas as an assistant general manager. Pelinka said the organization planned to add two assistant general managers, making Amsler the latest major addition to the new structure.
Amsler brings experience in several areas that should be valuable to the Lakers, including professional scouting, college scouting, player evaluation and development. Those responsibilities will become increasingly important as Los Angeles attempts to build a sustainable roster around Luka Doncic.
The Lakers made several significant changes to the roster during the offseason, but the front office must continue identifying affordable contributors as Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler occupy major places in the team’s long-term plans.
Amsler’s background suggests the Lakers are placing a greater emphasis on finding talent beyond the most recognizable names available in free agency.
Learning From Miami’s System
Miami has established a reputation for discovering and developing productive players who were overlooked during the draft process. The organization’s ability to turn undrafted prospects and G League players into NBA contributors has been an important part of its success under team president Pat Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra.
Amsler was not solely responsible for that success, but he worked inside the organization throughout much of its most successful era. During his tenure, the Heat won three NBA championships and reached seven NBA Finals.
That history gives Amsler an understanding of how a championship organization evaluates players, manages its developmental system and maintains continuity across different roster cycles.
His G League success is especially relevant for a Lakers team that needs to maximize every available avenue for acquiring talent. Los Angeles cannot depend exclusively on major trades or veteran free-agent signings to improve its roster.
Amsler’s arrival will not attract the same attention as a blockbuster player acquisition, but it could become an important behind-the-scenes move. After spending more than two decades learning Miami’s system, he will now have an opportunity to help the Lakers strengthen their scouting and development operation.
The Lakers are entering a new era on the court and within the organization. Adding a respected, experienced evaluator such as Amsler gives them another voice as they try to build a consistent contender around Doncic.
