Tony Parker to play in France for a small fraction of his NBA salary

Tony Parker(notes) has decided to play during the NBA's lockout for a basketball club in France that he holds a 20 percent stake in.

No shocker there, as Parker has hinted at this possibility for months. What's surprising, though, is the San Antonio Spurs All-Star's monthly salary.

The 2007 NBA Finals MVP wants to play for just under $2,000 a month, which might make him the worst paid NBA transplant out there.

This is a pretty hefty "love of the game"-situation, and insurance issues (what if Tony has a bad fall? The Spurs could void his contract) aside, it makes perfect sense. Even if Parker was set to make $12.5 million this year with the Spurs.

These players are going to be working out during the lockout, even if the NBA decides to pass on having a season during 2011-12. At some point, tossing around the medicine ball and jumping rope (this is how NBA players work out, right?) just won't suffice, and guys are bound to get together for a five-on-five game. And you might as well amp up the level of competition -- say, to the arc of a professional league. And you might as well get paid, right? Two grand is too much? OK, call it $1,995.

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