NBA players are widely described as possessing elite athleticism, which helps them excel in other sports. Before settling on basketball or their basketball careers, many players have played multiple sports, either professionally or as a hobby.
The NBA and WWE differ in many ways, but both feature larger-than-life personalities with elite athleticism who entertain.
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From retired NBA legends like Shaquille O’Neal and Dennis Rodman to NBA superstars Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, we look at 10 players who would dominate in WWE.
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#1 Shaquille O’Neal
Widely described as one of the most dominant centers in NBA history, Shaquille O’Neal has also been linked to professional wrestling. He served as a guest host of WWE’s “Raw” in 2009, along with several other cameos.
In 2016, the 7-foot-1 O’Neal was a surprise entrant in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 32, where he battled Big Show. Then, in 2021, he competed in a mixed-tag-team AEW match with the then-debuting Jade Cargill. In 2025, ESPN reported that fans could play as the Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer in WWE 2K25.
#2 Dennis Rodman
Five-time NBA champion and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman has four matches in his professional wrestling career, three in WCW. He famously missed a 1998 NBA Finals practice to appear alongside Hulk Hogan on “WCW Monday Nitro.” The two later faced Karl Malone and Diamond Dallas Page in a tag team match at Bash at the Beach.
Rodman was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in April 2026 as part of the Class of 2026. The HoF has a celebrity wing that includes other sports personalities like Pete Rose and Mike Tyson.
#3 Dwight Howard
Listed as a 6-foot-10, 265-pound center, Dwight Howard dominated at the peak of his 18-year NBA career. He was an eight-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA selection, five-time All-Defensive Team member, and a three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
After last playing in the NBA in 2022, Howard explored and teased the possibility of entering WWE several times.
#4 Draymond Green
Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green’s elite athleticism and on-court style would translate well to WWE. Throughout his NBA career, he’s been known for physically aggressive plays that many have perceived as “unsportsmanlike.” The four-time champion is also known for fierce trash talk.
In a 2024 interview, WWE star Bayley said that Green could successfully transition into professional wrestling, citing the NBA star’s personality and “ruthlessness.”
#5 Steven Adams
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams has been linked to WWE due to his towering 6-11, 265-pound frame. He is entering his 14th NBA season and third with the Rockets.
Adams’ former teammate Russell Westbrook and one-time NBA champion Channing Frye have been linked to discussions about his potential in professional wrestling, with Frye suggesting WWE consider him after his basketball career.
#6 Joel Embiid
Like Steven Adams, former NBA MVP Joel Embiid, who is listed at seven feet, 270 pounds, has a wrestler-like build. In 2023, the NBA fined the Philadelphia 76ers star for a WWE-inspired celebration during NBA games. The league deemed the action inappropriate.
After that incident, Triple H, WWE’s chief content officer and head of creative, invited Embiid to WrestleMania 40. The Sixers star did not attend.
#7 Marcus Smart
Marcus Smart is considered one of the NBA’s premier defenders. He won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022, becoming only the second point guard, after Hall of Famer Gary Payton, to earn the recognition.
Smart has also earned three All-Defensive Team selections. Over his NBA career, he has been known for his gritty style of play that frequently includes high-energy moments.
#8 Metta Sandiford-Artest (Ron Artest and Metta World Peace)
Metta Sandiford-Artest is often described as one of the best defenders in NBA history. He played for 17 seasons and was involved in several notable, intense on-court interactions. Most notably, he was at the center of the “Malice at the Palace” brawl during the 2004-05 season, which earned him an 86-game suspension, the longest for an on-court incident in league history.
Additionally, Sandiford-Artest made a cameo appearance at SummerSlam 2011 held at Staples Center. His eccentric playing style and personality also prompted speculation about a potential WWE career.
#9 Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been linked to professional wrestling because of his WWE-inspired pre-game rituals. The 6-11, 250-pound star has also attended WWE events and received a custom WWE title from Triple H after his 2021 NBA championship win with the Milwaukee Bucks.
In a 2022 interview, Antetokounmpo joked that he would join WWE or AEW if his earnings were similar to those of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who has been among the highest-paid figures in sports entertainment:
“If I make as much money as The Rock makes, for sure, I’ll join. No, I don’t know. I don’t wanna be a wrestler. I don’t think that’s my thing, man. But you never know. You never know what could happen.”
#10 Nikola Jokic
Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic has a massive 7-foot, 280-pound frame that could fit in WWE. In addition, the three-time NBA MVP has been involved in several intense on-court altercations that some have described as “WWE-like.”
In February 2026, Jokic got into a scuffle with OKC Thunder players Lu Dort and Jaylin Williams, during which the Nuggets star went face-to-face and tangled with them.
Similar to Antetokounmpo, Jokic and Denver received a custom replica WWE title from Triple H after their 2023 NBA Finals win.
Edited by Shardul Sant
