Here's The Latest On The Lakers' Pursuit Of LeBron James

Every four years, LeBron James is the big story in NBA free agency. First came The Decision in 2010, then came The Return in 2014 and now here we are in 2018.

This year, it looks like there are three teams with a real shot at landing LeBron: the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers.

The Lakers were thought to be the considerable favorite to sign James, but now things are murkier. The Sixers are making a late push, and with Paul George staying in Oklahoma City, the Lakers have lost a star they could have targeted to pair with James.

The latest update from New York Times NBA insider Marc Stein states that James and Lakers president/lead recruiter Magic Johnson did not have dinner together after free agency began at midnight last night.

LeBron is in LA, but he did reportedly speak with Cavs GM Koby Altman last night. His reps will meet with the Sixers today.

Now, just because LeBron and Magic weren't breaking bread late last night doesn't mean LA is out of the running. One has to think LeBron already knows all he needs to know about what the Lakers have in store for him.

Magic has been outwardly confident about his ability to lure premier free agents to LA, and we've been told that before free agency started, he believed LeBron was undoubtedly going to be a Laker.

We'll see soon enough if that confidence was warranted.