Charles Barkley is coming back. At least to practice.

Barkley said reports that he's planning to play for the ABA Phoenix Eclipse are exaggerated. But it's true he'll be working out with the new team. Barkley said he plans to practice with the team at the request of coach Bill Bayno.

"I'm just going to be scrimmaging with them," Barkley said. "Bill Bayno is a friend and he wants me to work with his young guys. I'm trying to lose weight, and what better way than working with some young guys and playing basketball?"

Would he consider playing?

Barkley laughed: "Man, they can't afford me. Seriously, I thought about it. But I'm not in the mood to be traveling around. And it wouldn't be fair to just play the home games. Bayno just wants me to work with his young big guys. Why not? What else am I doing? I work on Wednesday and Thursday (doing Turner Sports), and that's it."