Charles Barkley has left the arena. It remains to be seen if he has left the Phoenix Suns as well.

The continuing saga of Sir Charles took center court Wednesday, nearly overshadowing the Dream Team's 119-58 exhibition victory over China in men's Olympic basketball action at America West Arena, the home of the Suns.Upon learning that the Suns officials had been shopping him to other NBA teams, Barkley said he felt slighted and publicly demanded a trade - preferably to an NBA contender.

Since then, his name has been mentioned in numerous trades - the most likely transaction that would be a three-way swap: Phoenix sends Barkley to Houston, which ships Sam Cassell and Robert Horry to Denver, which in turn moves Dikembe Mutumbo to Phoenix.

The trade, which Barkley believes has been all but consumated, has been delayed while NBA continues its moratorium on trades, signings and negotiations (scheduled to end later today) while the league continues to negotiate with the players association over revenues and contracts.

It is also dependent on Denver signing Mutumbo, who is a free agent.

"I just want to be respected - I feel I've earned that," Barkley said after Wednesday's blowout win. "Everybody has an opinion. It's just a matter of pride. I think that (former NBA player and assistant coach) Paul Silas says it best - all you have in your life is your pride and your family. I'm going to always take care of my family, and I'm always going to have great pride in myself."

During player introductions prior to Wednesday's exhibition in Phoenix, Barkley received an enthusiastic ovation - with just a slight smattering of boos and catcalls. Practically all of the numerous fan-held signs throughout the arena called for the Valley of the Sun's favorite son to stay put - and some suggesting it be at the expense of Suns owner Jerry Colangelo, who brought Barkley to Arizona four seasons ago.

"Keep Barkley, trade Colangelo" read more than one sign.

Barkley responded Wednesday with 11 points, five rebounds, five assists, one block and a game-high three steals. And USA head coach Lenny Wilkens responded to crowd chants late in the game to re- insert the Phoenix fan favorite into the game for the final 78 minutes.

"I heard the crowd cheering for him and I wanted Charles to enjoy it," Wilkens said. "He played real hard, and it was a nice tribute by the fans."

Barkley - the most vocal and visible of the NBA's nearly 150 free agents this summer - appreciated the outpouring of affection and appreciation from the Phoenix fans. But he also anticipated what today's transactions might bring.

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"They made me feel very special tonight, but I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

He reiterated that his frustration revolved around pride and respect and not money - "you'll never hear me talk about money," he said - and that he planned on keeping a resident in Phoenix.

But Barkley left the door open - albeit very slightly - for a return to the Suns next season. "If they came to me and we sat down and they said, `Listen, we're just idiots' - that might make me feel better. That might be enough.

"If they walked in now and said, `We are a bunch of idiots, we're sorry for trading all of your help away, we apologize for shopping you around like a piece of meat, will you finish your career here in Phoenix?' - I say I would love to."

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