The NBA media rights deal process has been frantic and chaotic. It has everyone on edge thinking about next year being the last of Inside the NBA, a show millions have become accustomed to over the last 40 years. But fans were surely not prepared for Barkley’s recent announcement. During Game 4 of the dud NBA Finals, the award-winning analyst claimed next year would be his last on television, irrespective of whether Zaslav can strike a deal with the NBA. It brought an onset of concern and sadness to the NBA realm who have grown close to Barkley from sitting ahead of their TV screens. But Draymond Green, who has shared the desk with the Hall of Famer, believes it is just him being ‘emotional‘.

During the recent Draymond Green Show, the four-time champion ventured into speaking about his good friend. According to the defensive expert, Barkley is finding it hard to process his emotions, and he has grown tired of the tensions looming around the show. “I don’t think Chuck’s about to retire. I think Chuck’s is in a very emotional state right now and he is processing those emotions. And one day you are going to wake up and be like ‘You know what, I am done with this stuff. I am out of here’ while you are processing those emotions. Then you go a couple of days, maybe couple of weeks, maybe even a couple of months because this decision doesn’t have to be made today, tomorrow, or the next day. Then you probably come in your senses and be like ‘I’m not retiring. What was I thinking about?'”, he told in reference to Barkley’s retirement.

But even Draymond Green wasn’t sure. He couldn’t help but flirt with the possibility that Barkley does mean what he says. If that was the case, the Warriors forward admitted it wouldn’t be a decision that would be pleasing. “If he retires, what a sad day for NBA basketball. We have all grown accustomed to hearing that voice for the last 27 years talk NBA basketball. So what a sad day for NBA basketball whenever Chuck decides to retire”, claimed Green on his podcast.

Charles Barkley has offered his complete self and effort to becoming a brilliant NBA analyst. His nature doesn’t seem mended for the job. However, with the dynamic of the Inside crew and his tightly winded bond with Shaq, Kenny, and Ernie Johnson, Barkley has provided viewers with unrelenting humor, endless laughs, and a jolly experience whenever they turn on the television for the last three decades. So if he does retire, a thank you is in order. Barkley will be seen as a legend on and off the court, but his legacy will remember his infectious character and quirky pokes at his fellow analysts.

Charles Barkley planned to retire ten years ago

The Phoenix Suns legend first graced the Inside the NBA in 2000. He was a novice analyst, not as outspoken and imposing but still cracking hysterical jokes. Initially, he hadn’t planned to keep doing the gig for long. Notably, when he was still on his previous contract, Barkley told Richard Deitsch of The Athletic that he felt he would “struggle” to complete the duration of his contract. This was back in 2012.

The Hall of Fame forward continued for another five years before pondering on closing his chapter as an analyst once again. “I’m trying to make it to 60 because I still want to be young enough where I can enjoy my life and have fun,” he told Dietsch during an interview for The Athletic. But now he is 61 and still has at least a year left on the job.

While it would be ignorant to not consider his words, Charles Barkley does have the tendency to jump to such thoughts from time to time. Of course, this isn’t to say he won’t actually retire. But in the hypothetical that TNT does manage to land a deal with the NBA, it’s nearly impossible to fathom that Barkley would reject working with the people he loves for more time. But it is also possible that he is tranquil with the journey he has had with them so far and wishes to see the rest of his life in comfort not barred by the rigorous schedule of the NBA.

Do you think Charles Barkley will actually retire? Let us know in the comments below.