Report: Trail Blazers hiring ESPN analyst Mike Schmitz as assistant GM

The Portland Trail Blazers are finalizing a deal with ESPN NBA Draft analyst Mike Schmitz to make him the new assistant general manager, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

In addition to his work at ESPN, Schmitz was also a contributor at DraftExpress.com and previously worked at Yahoo's The Vertical.

Schmitz will work with new Trail Blazers GM Joe Cronin, who received a four-year deal earlier in May to run the team after taking over as interim GM during the 2021-22 season. Cronin wasted no time reshaping the roster with trades that sent CJ McCollum, Norman Powell and Robert Covington out of Portland.

In an April mock draft for ESPN, Schmitz tabbed Kentucky shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe as his projected pick for the Trail Blazers.

"Sharpe may not be ready to help turn the Blazers into a playoff contender as a rookie," Schmitz wrote. "...but given the recent success of physically gifted, shot-creating guards like Anthony Edwards, he's a valuable talent at this part of the draft, as there simply aren't many other players who can create offense like he can."

Portland owns the No. 7, 36 and 57 picks in the 2022 NBA Draft.