Charles Barkley claims players are not being honest about workload management

After the Guardian Hall of Fame Michael Jordan has reignited the conversation about workload management among NBA circles, broadcaster Charles Barclay he says it’s the players who aren’t honest about their motives. For Barkley, players who rest longer extend their careers. He just wants them to be honest about it.

Barkley gave his opinion on the lack of transparency of the players environmental load management in the NBA, he said, on the Dan Patrick show.

“The thing that bothers me is: I wish they would tell the truth instead of just saying, ‘Well, it’s not healthy’ or things like that. And listen, this is the fair thing to do in their eyes,” Barkley said. “If I’m able to play basketball two or three more years, I’ll probably make another $50 million to $100 million. I mean, depending on who you are, if you’re a star, if you play three more years, you’re going to make at least $100 million.”

“If you can add three years to the end of your career, you’re probably going to make $30 million to $50-60 million. I understand that, too, but just say, ‘Hey, I’m trying to extend my career.’ Don’t try to tell me that’s not healthy.”

Michael Jordan is 100% clear on load management

Charles Barkley isn’t the only one to respond to Jordan’s comments, as Warriors coach and former teammate Steve Kerr addressed the topic of workload management in the NBA in response to Hall of Fame guard Michael Jordan’s recent interview with Mike Tyrico about the NBA on NBC.

Jordan’s position on this subject is firm: he disagrees with players who draw matches. He told Tiritz, per NBA on NBC and Peacock.

“It shouldn’t be necessary,” Jordan told Mike Therick as part of his ongoing ts for NBC’s NBA coverage. “I never wanted to miss a game because it was a chance to prove myself. The fans are there to watch me play — I want to impress that guy at the top who probably worked hard to get a ticket.”

“You have a duty that if they want to see you, and I as an entertainer want a show. If I can’t physically do it, then I can’t. But physically if I can do it, and I just don’t feel like doing it, that’s a whole different lens.”

Michael Jordan shares his thoughts on workload management in Part 2 of MJ: Insights to Excellence.

“I never wanted to miss a game because it was an opportunity to prove … the fans are there to watch me play.” pic.twitter.com/h7g6krplDK

— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) October 29, 2025

It will be interesting to see what topic Jordan and Tirico tackle next in the next interview with NBC on NBC and the Peacock.