Just like Kobe Bryant, Spurs’ All-Star Tony Parker will return to play in the country of his youth during the NBA lockout.

But there’s a major difference. In Parker’s case, the team won’t have to break the bank to get him.

According the Associated Press, the veteran point guard has agreed to suit up for a professional team in his native France for a paltry $1,995 per month. Bryant, meanwhile, is working on a deal that will pay him $3 million to play 10 games for an Italian team.

There is a twist here, which goes a long way to explaining Parker’s decision. He is a vice president of ASVEL, the team he signed with. While the NBA works through its labor stalemate, it makes sense for him to help out the French club.

"I'll be playing nearly for free ... If I play the entire season, we'll go for the title," he said.

The ASVEL team is based in Villeurbanne, near Lyon in southeast France. Parker expects to play his first game Oct. 14 in Paris.

Contact Terrance Harris at terrancefharris@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @Terranceharris

(Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)