Dwight Howard could be trading in a hardwood court for the squared circle.
The three-time Defensive Player of the Year showed up to WWE tryout during SummerSlam week in Nashville on Thursday in the middle of his free agency offseason. In an interview with Arash Markazi, Howard said he believes joining the WWE is in his future if he doesn’t get a chance to play basketball again this upcoming season.
“I love the WWE. I love wrestling … I’m grateful and thankful for this opportunity to be here and just witness this whole thing, tryouts and everything,” Howard said. “Hopefully one day in the future I’ll actually be in the ring wrestling and hold up the belt. That would be amazing.”
Howard, the No. 1 overall pick by the Magic in the 2004 NBA Draft, is still an unrestricted free agent after wrapping up his 18th season in the league and his third stint with the Lakers. Despite wanting to continue playing in the NBA, Howard has indicated he would like to enter WWE once his basketball career comes to an end.
After Howard, who also cut an on-stage promo at the WWE tryout, averaged a career-low 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in just 16.2 minutes last season, no team has signed the eight-time All-Star. The idea of joining WWE is fitting for Howard, who would likely get to go to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., where the 36-year-old began his NBA career.
“I love basketball, it’s my passion. I still have years left in me,” he said. “I would definitely love to play and just end my career on a high note, a great note, and then transition to the best business in the world, the WWE.”