Is Kobe going to Italy?

Virtus Bologna has offered NBA player Kobe Bryant 6.7 million dollars to play in Italy, with the option to get out if the lockout is discontinued. Whatever a lockout is, I'm pretty sure it means they're not playing, maybe it's some sort of strike. Don't people usually strike for better conditions? What, are the NBA players playing too many minutes for too few millions?

Will he or won't he? Kobe grew up partly in Italy and is fluent in the lingo (see video), although a bit rusty. Read more about it at this Huff Post article.