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MIAMI — When it comes to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s priorities with Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, they are to join him . . . and then beat him.
While the two will be working together after the Heat’s acquisition of the All-Star forward from the Milwaukee Bucks, Antetokounmpo also has visions of lining up against Spoelstra at next summer’s FIBA World Cup in Qatar, where Spoelstra will coach Team USA.
In the wake of uneven play by Greece’s national team in the World Cup qualification window earlier this month, Antetokounmpo said his plan is to join his country’s roster for games in the next qualification window, on Aug. 29 against Ukraine and Aug. 31 against Spain.
The Heat are scheduled to open training camp Sept. 29, after their Sept. 28 media day at Kaseya Center
In the wake of unexpected losses to Romania and Portugal, Greece is in fifth place in six-team Group 1, at 3-3, with Spain atop the group at 5-1.
Speaking on the AnesTea podcast, Antetokounmpo said, “If I’m called up, I’ll most likely be there. I’ve played in 10 of the 12 tournaments I’ve been called up for.
“If we’re called up and everyone is there, I’ll be there. Let’s go win the games and qualify for the World Cup.”
While gaining insurance under his NBA contract could be at issue, the Heat routinely have encouraged their players to participate in international competitions, with Pelle Larsson representing Sweden and Nikola Jovic representing Serbia in the World Cup window earlier this month. Antetokounmpo has an extension window with the Heat that opens in January, six months from his acquisition.
“If I go and get injured while playing in a FIBA game, the insurance must be able to cover the contract I have with the Bucks — with the Miami Heat now, sorry. That’s how it is.”
Greece has qualified for the World Cup nine times, with its best finish in 2006, when it defeated Team USA in the semifinals to finish as tournament runner-up.
Antetokounmpo first represented Greece at the World Cup in 2019, becoming the first reigning NBA Most Valuable Player to participate in the event.
Most recently in FIBA competition, Antetokounmpo helped lead Greece to the bronze medal in EuroBasket 2025, averaging 27.3, 10.6 rebounds and 4.1 in the competition.
Spoelstra twice has coached in FIBA competitions, as an assistant coach to Steve Kerr for the 2023 World Cup in the Philippines and with Team USA’s run to Olympic gold at the 2024 Paris Games. He was named Team USA coach last year, to guide the senior national team both at next summer’s World Cup and then the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Among remaining potential roster additions for the Heat amid their makeover with Antetokounmpo is a move for Klay Thompson, who is entering the final season of his contract with the Dallas Mavericks, but might be traded or bought out.
Apparently, a Heat acquisition of Thompson, 36, might only be a one-year rental.
Thompson was asked by a fan at a recent autograph session whether he would like to close out his career back with the Golden State Warriors, the team of his first 11 seasons, through 2023-24, with the youth asking, “Are you going to go back to the Warriors anytime?”
Thompson replied, “Shoot I don’t know. I got one year on my deal. It’d be nice to end it in Golden State.”
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While the two will be working together after the Heat’s acquisition of the All-Star forward from the Milwaukee Bucks, Antetokounmpo also has visions of lining up against Spoelstra at next summer’s FIBA World Cup in Qatar, where Spoelstra will coach Team USA.
In the wake of uneven play by Greece’s national team in the World Cup qualification window earlier this month, Antetokounmpo said his plan is to join his country’s roster for games in the next qualification window, on Aug. 29 against Ukraine and Aug. 31 against Spain.
The Heat are scheduled to open training camp Sept. 29, after their Sept. 28 media day at Kaseya Center
In the wake of unexpected losses to Romania and Portugal, Greece is in fifth place in six-team Group 1, at 3-3, with Spain atop the group at 5-1.
Speaking on the AnesTea podcast, Antetokounmpo said, “If I’m called up, I’ll most likely be there. I’ve played in 10 of the 12 tournaments I’ve been called up for.
“If we’re called up and everyone is there, I’ll be there. Let’s go win the games and qualify for the World Cup.”
While gaining insurance under his NBA contract could be at issue, the Heat routinely have encouraged their players to participate in international competitions, with Pelle Larsson representing Sweden and Nikola Jovic representing Serbia in the World Cup window earlier this month. Antetokounmpo has an extension window with the Heat that opens in January, six months from his acquisition.
“If I go and get injured while playing in a FIBA game, the insurance must be able to cover the contract I have with the Bucks — with the Miami Heat now, sorry. That’s how it is.”
Greece has qualified for the World Cup nine times, with its best finish in 2006, when it defeated Team USA in the semifinals to finish as tournament runner-up.
Antetokounmpo first represented Greece at the World Cup in 2019, becoming the first reigning NBA Most Valuable Player to participate in the event.
Most recently in FIBA competition, Antetokounmpo helped lead Greece to the bronze medal in EuroBasket 2025, averaging 27.3, 10.6 rebounds and 4.1 in the competition.
Spoelstra twice has coached in FIBA competitions, as an assistant coach to Steve Kerr for the 2023 World Cup in the Philippines and with Team USA’s run to Olympic gold at the 2024 Paris Games. He was named Team USA coach last year, to guide the senior national team both at next summer’s World Cup and then the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Klay play
Among remaining potential roster additions for the Heat amid their makeover with Antetokounmpo is a move for Klay Thompson, who is entering the final season of his contract with the Dallas Mavericks, but might be traded or bought out.
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Apparently, a Heat acquisition of Thompson, 36, might only be a one-year rental.
Thompson was asked by a fan at a recent autograph session whether he would like to close out his career back with the Golden State Warriors, the team of his first 11 seasons, through 2023-24, with the youth asking, “Are you going to go back to the Warriors anytime?”
Thompson replied, “Shoot I don’t know. I got one year on my deal. It’d be nice to end it in Golden State.”
Continue reading...
