Anthony will visit the Lakers on Thursday to end recruitment process for now.
The Los Angeles Lakers held a meeting with two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol on Tuesday which continued to show their interest in retaining him.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak met with Gasol at an L.A. office with their meeting reportedly lasting for a “few hours”, according to an ESPN source.
With interest high in the Spaniard, it is clear that the Lakers are keen to make their position on his future clear, although they will potentially alter their plans if Carmelo Anthony opts to move to the Staples Center next season.
The New York Knicks star is in Texas on Wednesday to meet with both the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets, but he will end his tour of the West with a visit to the Lakers.
While it is still widely reported that he will either choose to stay with the Knicks or join the Chicago Bulls who are the early favourites, the Lakers are expected to have Kupchak, president Jeanie Buss and executive vice president of player personnel Jim Buss all present for the meeting.
It is unclear at this stage as to whether or not Kobe Bryant will play any role in the recruitment process, but although the Lakers are aware that their chances are slim, they will make a significant play to persuade Anthony to make the move from the Eastern Conference.
Meanwhile, Gasol has already been contacted by the Mavericks, Bulls and the Golden State Warriors over the past few days, but Kupchak was keen to stress that he believes the Spanish international could thrive alongside newly drafted Julius Randle next season.
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