Report: Trail Blazers to hire ESPN analyst Mike Schmitz as Assistant GM

ESPN Press Room

Mike Schmitz, a 32-year-old NBA draft analyst for ESPN, will be Joe Cronin’s assistant general manager of the Trail Blazers, starting in July.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the move Thursday evening.

Woj reports Schmitz will take over leadership duties of the Trail Blazers domestic and international scouting departments. He is expected to remain with ESPN through the NBA Draft on June 23rd and is expected to formally begin with the Blazers in July.

Cronin was named interim general manager after Neil Olshey was fired in December 2021, and promoted to General Manager without the interim tag in April.

The Trail Blazers possess the No. 7 overall pick in the NBA Draft.

ESPN’s NBA Draft Analyst Mike Schmitz is finalizing a deal to become an assistant GM with the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell ESPN. Schmitz will play a significant role with new GM Joe Cronin in leading the Blazers’ domestic and international scouting departments.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 27, 2022