Ex-Laker, eight-time All-Star nearly pursued a professional wrestling career

Following the end of their NBA career, many players attempt to try their luck in other professional sports. One former Lakers center nearly became a WWE wrestler after his time in the league ended.

The NBA has some of the best athletes in the world filling up their rosters and over the last several years, multiple players have found themselves at a WWE event at some point, trying their hand at professional wrestling.

Names like Shaquille O’Neal, Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone are among the many who have had appearances at wrestling events. Another NBA big man almost pursued a career with the WWE.

Dwight Howard surprisingly announced that he nearly signed a deal to join the WWE. But before he could join the roster, the former first overall pick says wrestling Hall of Fame inductee Ric Flair talked him out of it.

“I was talking to Ric Flair, he said he doesn’t know if my knees are good for wrestling.” Howard told TMZ Wednesday. “My knees feel good, it’s just wrestling. You’re talking about picking up 300-pound dudes and all that stuff. Nobody wants to do that for their whole life.”

The former NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner would have been a sight to see in a wrestling ring, but it seems safe to say that Howard has closed that chapter before it even began despite his tryout in 2022.

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