Shaquille O’Neal’s latest WNBA idea has reignited a debate over what the league needs, with fans pushing back on the belief that more dunks are the answer. The Hall of Famer recently suggested slightly lowering the rims to make dunking more common and, in his view, make the product more exciting.
The proposal is not new, but its return has landed differently because the WNBA is already experiencing major growth. Many critics argue that changing the physical specifications of the game undermines the elite skill level and technical execution that are currently driving the league’s record-breaking viewership and popularity.
Shaq wants more dunks in the WNBA
O’Neal revived his proposal during an appearance on Revolt TV, arguing that the WNBA has many of the same ingredients as the NBA but lacks regular dunks. He pointed to men’s and women’s beach volleyball, where net heights differ, as an example of how sports can use different dimensions.
“I’m not saying lower it to 9 feet or 8 feet… so they can dunk,” O’Neal said. He believes more dunks could create additional highlight moments and make games more exciting for casual viewers.
That timing is a major reason the proposal has drawn criticism. The WNBA is not entering 2026 as a struggling product searching for an identity. The league’s 2025 year-in-review materials said the season was its most-watched regular season in 27 years and produced its highest-ever total attendance, with 3.1 million fans attending games.
The backlash centers on the idea that dunking is being treated as the missing ingredient when the WNBA already has elite shooting, playmaking, defense, rivalries and personalities.
Lexie Brown pushed back
Free agent guard Lexie Brown, who spent the past two seasons with the Seattle Storm before being waived this year, also questioned the proposal. Brown said lowering the rim would not benefit her personally and questioned how many players would actually gain a meaningful advantage from the change.
Her point matters because every player has spent years developing her shooting, finishing and passing around a 10-foot basket. Changing that dimension could alter established skills across the league.
The WNBA already has proof that dunks can create moments
There is no question that dunks can become major WNBA highlights. Malonga provided a perfect example during the 2026 All-Star Game when she threw down a dunk after Angel Reese created the opportunity with a drive.
The WNBA noted that Malonga’s dunk was the league’s first in an All-Star Game since Sylvia Fowles recorded one in 2022. The moment showed why O’Neal believes dunks can add electricity.
But it also supports the opposing argument. Malonga’s dunk was memorable partly because it was unusual, not because the league needs dozens of them every night.
Fun fact: Dominique Malonga is 6-foot-6 and was selected No. 2 overall by the Seattle Storm in the 2025 WNBA Draft. She is now one of the league’s most visible dunking threats.
The league’s growth is bigger than one highlight
The strongest argument against changing the rim may be the WNBA’s broader momentum. The league entered 2026 with a new collective bargaining agreement that dramatically increased player compensation and introduced a revenue-sharing model.
Under the agreement, the 2026 salary cap rose to $7 million from $1.5 million in 2025. The league also projected an average salary above $583,000, while maximum salaries were set to reach $1.4 million in the first year.
Interesting fact: The WNBA’s 2026 CBA projects maximum salaries could rise above $2.4 million by 2032. The agreement also includes a comprehensive revenue-sharing system.
More dunks could be exciting without defining the league
There is a reasonable case for why O’Neal’s suggestion resonates. A powerful dunk is one of basketball’s easiest visual highlights, and more above-the-rim plays would create moments that spread quickly across social media.
The problem is assuming one type of highlight automatically makes a league more compelling. The WNBA has shown that fans will tune in for a variety of reasons, from elite three-point shooting to physical defense to star-driven storylines.
The 2026 All-Star Game offered a useful snapshot. The WNBA highlighted Malonga’s dunk, but Jonquel Jones won MVP after producing 22 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, while the game also featured 127 three-point attempts.
Why the backlash matters
The reaction to Shaq’s proposal is less about whether dunks are entertaining and more about what makes the WNBA valuable. Fans increasingly see the league as a distinct product rather than an incomplete version of the NBA.
They can appreciate O’Neal’s enthusiasm for women’s basketball while rejecting the idea that the sport needs to imitate the NBA more closely to succeed. There is no indication that the WNBA is preparing to lower its rims. Its current direction points toward expansion and stronger player compensation.
Shaq’s proposal will keep the conversation alive because it is easy to understand and debate. But the backlash suggests many fans believe the WNBA’s future should be built on its strengths rather than changing the sport to manufacture more dunks.
TL;DR
- Shaquille O’Neal again suggested slightly lowering WNBA rims to encourage more dunks.
- Fans have pushed back, arguing the league’s growth shows it does not need a fundamental entertainment fix.
- Free agent guard Lexie Brown, formerly of the Seattle Storm, questioned how many players would benefit from lower rims.
- Dominique Malonga’s 2026 All-Star dunk showed the appeal of rare WNBA dunks without proving they need to become routine.
- The WNBA’s new CBA and continued growth show the league is expanding without changing its rim height.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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