Michael Jordan's agent has denied a report that the National Basketball Association superstar might end his retirement and return next season.

Fox Sports, citing unnamed sources close to Jordan, reported that Jordan was considering playing next season for the Charlotte Hornets, a club he has discussed purchasing. But David Falk, Jordan's agent, said: "There's absolutely no truth to it."

Hornets club officials said there had been no discussion of Jordan playing for Charlotte, although he is considering purchasing a 50 per cent share of the struggling club.

Jordan retired on January 13th after leading Chicago to six titles in the past eight years. The report said he is staying fit so he could be ready for a comeback in November.

Houston team-mates Charles Barkley and Scottie Pippen, two of Jordan's closest friends in the sport, were stunned Jordan would contemplate such a return. "It's very shocking to me," Pippen said.