Giannis won’t play during the FIBA World Cup qualifying windows

It was a rough 2025-26 NBA season for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. Antetokounmpo was limited to just 36 games due to multiple injuries, and his relationship with the franchise seems to be at its breaking point.

There have been plenty of trade rumours surrounding Antetokounmpo since last summer. The Bucks even actively tried to trade him at the deadline, but they ultimately decided to hold off until possibly the offseason.

Things turned more sour after reported disagreements regarding Antetokounmpo’s health. He wanted to play despite not having a shot at making the playoffs, while the Bucks wanted him to rest.

The NBPA even got involved before the two-time MVP was eventually ruled out for the rest of the season.

Speaking in a walk-and-talk with ANT1 in Greece, Antetokounmpo revealed that he won’t be suiting up for his country in July’s FIBA World Cup qualifiers. He also shared an update on his health and recovery from a hyperextended left knee.

“I cannot play in the World Cup qualifying windows,” Antetokounmpo said, via EuroHoops. “I really wanted to play with the national team because I did not play much with the Bucks this season due to injury. Now that I’m healthy, I wanted to play, but we will wait until 2027.”

Greece are currently atop Group B with seven points after winning three of their first four qualifying games. They are ahead of Portugal, Montenegro and Romania. They will face Romania on July 2 and Portugal on July 5.

To qualify for the second round of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, Greece needs to finish inside the Top 3 of its group.

The 2027 FIBA World Cup will be held in Qatar from August 27 to September 12.

According to ESPN, the four teams active at February’s trade deadline regarding a potential Giannis trade were the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Obviously, neither one of the four teams offered enough to convince the Bucks to part ways with their greatest player ever.

HoopsHype also confirmed on a recent report that the Orlando Magic also pursued a Giannis trade at the deadline. The Magic had no substantial amount of picks to offer, but they had a bunch of young players like Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Anthony Black.

“Antetokounmpo was originally drafted 15th overall in 2013 by current Magic senior advisor John Hammond. Magic president Jeff Weltman and Hammond have always been enamoured with length and size in building their teams through the years, which is one of Antetokounmpo’s many strong suits,” ESPN wrote.