Kobe Bryant remains in talks with Virtus Bologna, the Italian team interested in signing him during the NBA lockout.

The burgeoning relationship between Bryant, Virtus Bologna and the Italian league has been described as "complex".

Sources say Bryant has a strong desire to play in Italy and wants an arrangement where the entire league benefits financially.

Dwyane Wade was asked this week what he believes he would receive annually if there was no maximum contract.

“I’m sure it would get to $50 million,” Wade said.

Jerry Buss has reportedly told people that Bryant is worth perhaps $70 million per year to the Lakers because of his talent and marketability. Many people i

“In terms of driving revenue, if the NBA had no cap, the compensation would be totally different,” Wade said. “Like baseball, where they have no cap, you see the players that they feel fill arenas, that people come out to see, A-Rod, those kind of guys, look at how much money they make on their deals.

“You’ve got guys – starting with Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal(notes), and Kobe and LeBron – all players that individually people wanted to come to see. And wanted to just have a glimpse, just one glimpse, to be able to say that I’ve seen that person play. For what they’ve done for the game, what they’ve done for organizations, I don’t think you can really put a dollar amount on it.”

A report from RealGM in May of 2010 that surveyed the opinions of multiple agents and basketball insiders indicated LeBron James could easily receive a deal over four or five years worth $50 million annually.

George Andrews, former agent to Magic Johnson, spoke with RealGM about the concept of leaving the NBA's superstars uncapped.

"I have always been an advocate that the top guys should not have a cap," Andrews said. "The league is a superstar league. The top handful of teams and top 10 or 11 players drive the economy of the league."

Legabasket rejected Virtus Bologna's proposal to make special changes to its schedule in the event of signing Kobe Bryant.

Virtus wanted to play as many of Bryant's games as possible in its biggest arena.

The other Italian teams refused the request made by Virtus and now the deal between Bologna and Bryant is on the verge of collapse.

Kobe Bryant has reached a verbal agreement to sign with Virtus Bologna, according to the team's president.

"We have reached an economic deal," Virtus president Claudio Sabatini told a local radio station. "There's still some things to arrange but at this point I'm very optimistic. I would say it's 95 percent done."

The two sides have settled on a $3 million contract for the opening 40 days of the Italian league season.

A source close to talks warns Adrian Wojarowski that no agreement is imminent.

Kobe Bryant kept open the possibility of playing in Italy while making an appearance in Milan.

"It's very possible. It would be a dream for me," Bryant said, according to the Gazzetta. "There's an opportunity that we've been discussing over the last few days. It's very possible and that's good news for me."

Bryant, who has an offer from Virtus Bologna, spent time in Italy while his father played in the country.

"Italy is my home. It's where my dream of playing in the NBA started. This is where I learned the fundamentals, learned to shoot, to pass and to (move) without the ball," Kobe Bryant said, according to the Gazzetta. "All things that when I came back to America the players my age didn't know how to do because they were only thinking about jumping and dunking."

Kobe Bryant is seeking a contract worth approximately $15 million annually from Virtus Bologna.

The Italian club had been offering a contract worth approximately $6.7 million.

Virtus Bologna's offer to Kobe Bryant is worth $5 million for one season.

"An Italian brand well known around the world" is prepared to provide cash for the deal, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told the Associated Press on Monday.

The other offers on the table include a two-month deal worth nearly $2 million, a one-month contract for $1.3 million or $900,000 for only one game.

Bryant's agent, Rob Pelinka, has been conducting nightly conference calls with Bologna President Claudio Sabatini.

In his latest letter to fellow players, NBA Players Association president Derek Fisher called for unity, stressing that "we drive this game" and insisting that he still believes there is a "divide" in the ownership ranks that will ultimately lead to a labor agreement the players can accept.

In the letter, sent to players Monday and obtained by ESPN.com, Fisher preached patience, saying that "we can't sell ourselves short for instant gratification."

Virtus owner Claudio Sabatini says he has found a sponsor to fund the contract of Kobe Bryant, should they reach a deal.

"A big Italian company is ready to help us covering the expenses of Kobe Bryant's operation" said Sabatini.

The offer to Bryant is believed to be worth $6.7 million.

Kobe Bryant has received an $800,000 offer to play three games in Italy from Virtus Bologna.

"We have been talking for a week with Bryant," Virtus owner Claudio Sabatini told Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport.