Lakers free agency: Kobe Bryant recruiting Carmelo Anthony, according to report

Carmelo Anthony is preparing for free agency on July 1 and has meetings lined up with the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Chicago Bulls. The Los Angeles Lakers are not scheduled to meet with Anthony, but Kobe Bryant has already reached out to the star free agent and intends to personally recruit him, reports ESPN's Chris Broussard:

Though the Los Angeles Lakers are not on Anthony's current list, Kobe Bryant plans to recruit him to the team. Bryant, who is close with Anthony, spoke to him by telephone when they were in separate parts of Europe earlier this week.

Bryant told ESPN.com in a text message that he plans to meet with Anthony, as well.

The Dallas Mavericks have already begun positioning themselves for a meeting with Anthony, completing a trade centered around reacquiring Tyson Chandler from the New York Knicks in exchange for Jose Calderon. Houston is rumored to be open to a blockbuster sign-and-trade deal that would send James Harden to New York in exchange for Anthony. The Chicago Bulls could create the cap space necessary to sign Anthony as a free agent.

Los Angeles still has a huge decision to make with the seventh-overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft and has been quiet about their approach to free agency this summer.The Lakers will have the salary cap space to make an offer to Anthony, but the team is also hopeful of meeting with LeBron James.

Free agency is less than a week away and there will be an incredible amount of rumors and news regarding this star-studded class. Reports are heating up less than 24 hours away from one of the most hyped NBA Drafts since 2003.