It's only hours before LeBron James' impending deadline to opt in or out of the last year of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

While opting out could surely spell a potential move to La La Land, it doesn't ultimately guarantee the Los Angeles Lakers have won the fight, at least not yet, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.

via RealGM:

“Clearly, LeBron is keeping a very close eye on the Lakers. This is my read on the situation: if he opts into his contract, that it pretty much closes the door on him going to the Lakers,” said Windhorst. “It doesn't necessarily guarantee that he is staying with the Cavs, but I think it's a really good sign that he will.

“If he opts out of the contract, I don't necessarily think that it means he is leaving the Cavs, but I do think it bodes better for the Lakers if he does that.”

Opting out of his contract could give the Lakers somewhat of a sense of relief, as the prime destination for James, while opting in gives the Cavaliers a sense of urgency to put the best roster available around him.

The Lakers have been reportedly operating with utmost desperation to clinch James' arrival by trading for Kawhi Leonard, while the Cavaliers have been shut down through multiple trade avenues, with little-to-no assets to use now that the NBA Draft is under wraps.