TORONTO - Canada's best-known exports Justin Bieber and Drake aren't on former NBA star Charles Barkley's to-meet list – but ex-Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is.

The current on-air analyst told television audiences Thursday night he wants to rub elbows with Councillor Ford at the NBA All-Star Weekend in Toronto in Hogtown in two weeks.

“Forget Wayne Gretzky and Drake. I’m hanging with the mayor. The ex-mayor. He’s got more free time to smoke now,” Barkley said during Thursday night’s segment on TNT. “The way I look at it, he’s got more free time to get his freak on.”

The controversial former mayor is currently battling cancer. In 2013, following a Toronto Police gang investigation, Ford publicly admitted to using crack-cocaine, resulting in eventually a leave of absence to go to rehab the following year.

During his remarks, Barkley also gave a shout-out to the 905.

“We gonna have so much fun. I’m going to hang out at Mississauga,” said Barkley.

Ford could not be immediately reached for comment. However, Ford did tweet about his not liking Sting halftime show.