The Lakers have made another offseason move aimed at adding a little more of that Heat culture, and this one comes with a built-in scouting edge.
Per ESPN, Eric Amsler is leaving Miami after 22 years with the Heat to become Los Angeles’ new assistant general manager. It’s the kind of hire that won’t flash on the scoreboard right away, but could pay off in a major way for president and GM Rob Pelinka down the line.
Amsler was never the face of the operation, but he was a steady part of it for more than two decades. He climbed the ladder from scouting and information coordinator to vice president of player personnel, and he also served as general manager of the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Miami’s G-League affiliate. In that role, he was one of the team’s key draft scouts, constantly on the move across the country and overseas in search of talent.
That background is a big reason the Lakers wanted him. His international connections and ability to identify under-the-radar players were appealing, especially for a team looking to get tipped off on talent faster than the rest of the league.
The Skyforce also had some success during Amsler’s time in charge, reaching one Western Conference Finals and two semifinals over a five-year span.
From Miami’s side, the vacancy creates an important decision. It’s not clear whether the Heat will split Amsler’s responsibilities between two people or hand the job to one replacement, but the work needs to be filled.
Keith Askins could be a candidate. He worked directly with Amsler and is now the senior director of college and pro scouting plus the assistant GM of the Skyforce.
Chad Kammerer is another possible option. He’s the team’s director of NBA scouting, and like Askins, he does not live in Miami. The same goes for Amsler, who lived in Biscayne Park, so it’s unclear whether being local matters for the role.
The older Chet Kammerer, the senior advisor of basketball operations, is also in the mix of names to consider. Still, it would be a surprise if Miami looked outside the organization, given how many scouts are already in place.
That matters because the next person in that chair will have a real hand in deciding which low-cost players get signed, and that kind of edge can shape a roster over time. With Giannis Antetokounmpo now in the picture, the Heat need to keep replenishing the pipeline. Players like Max Strus, Gabe Vincent and Haywood Highsmith lasted an average of 3.6 years in Miami, and if things go as planned, Antetokounmpo could be around longer than that.
Whoever takes over, the assignment is a significant one. Amsler’s shoes won’t be easy to fill.
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