Dwight Howard Willing To Let Go Of NBA Career To Join WWE

After participating in a WWE tryout held during the week of SummerSlam this past July, Dwight Howard teased the possibility of taking the pro wrestling route rather than returning to the NBA.

The 6-foot-10 NBA veteran surprised the crowd of the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, Tennessee with his unexpected appearance at the event.

Howard cut a promo on the mic, introducing himself as "Sho'nuff," a character from the 1985 film "The Last Dragon."

He stayed for five hours and asked coaches and fellow participants about the execution of moves in the ring.

When discussing about his future, the one-time NBA champion still would not close the door for a return to the hard-court.

"I would love to play in the NBA. Obviously, that's where I've been my whole entire life, I love basketball, it's my passion. I still have years left on me so, I would definitely love to play," the four-time Defensive Player of the Year told Arash Markazi of The Sporting Tribune.

Howard is elated by a potential opportunity to start a professional wrestling career path in Orlando, a place where he was drafted.

"That would be awesome to start it in Orlando. A new career as a wrestler, just like I did as a Magic, as a basketball player. I can't wait to see where it goes," Howard stated.

Triple H, the chief content officer of WWE, shed light on the changes of Howard earning a spot on the promotion's talent-filled roster.

"The ball's in his court. So, when he says, 'Hey, I want to give this a shot.' All he's got to do is call me and we'll see what can happen," Triple H told Sporting News.

In a short interview with TMZ Sports, the 10-time All-Star doubled down his interest in joining WWE and expressed his willingness to play any role.

"I would be like both, be the good guy sometimes and a bad guy sometimes," he stated. "Whatever the opportunity is best."

The 2004 NBA Rookie of the Year would not be the first basketball player to venture into the pro wrestling scene.

Satnam Singh, a 7-foot-3 former Dallas Mavericks draftee, debuted in All Elite Wrestling this past April on the April 13, 2022 episode of AEW Dynamite, where he attacked Samoa Joe and aligned himself with Jay Lethal and Sonjay Dutt.

Others who famously tried their hand in the squared-circle are Shaquille O'Neil, Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone.

Currently, Howard is still yet to find an NBA team after his third stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he averaged 6.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks across 60 games.