​LeBron James defends Nikola Jokic during a Lakers-Nuggets matchup. The Nuggets remain linked to James in free agency, but NBA insider Marc Stein said Eastern Conference teams appear to have gained momentum in the race. GettyThe Denver Nuggets have long believed they can offer LeBron James something few NBA franchises can.The opportunity to chase another championship alongside three-time MVP Nikola Jokić.As James moves closer to making one of the biggest decisions of the offseason, however, ESPN insider Shams Charania‘s latest update suggests Denver remains on the outside of the leading group.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAppearing Tuesday on NBA Today, Charania said James has gathered all the information he needs from interested teams and has entered what he described as “decision time.”“My understanding is right now as we speak, LeBron James has the information that’s needed to make a decision,” Charania said. “It’s decision time right now for LeBron James.”Charania said five teams remain under consideration: the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves.Notably absent from that group was Denver.For the Nuggets, it represents another discouraging development after several recent reports suggested James has increasingly narrowed his focus elsewhere.Charania’s latest report reinforces a trend that has emerged throughout free agency.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementVeteran NBA insider Marc Stein reported last week that James has been giving considerably more attention to Eastern Conference contenders than many league executives expected.“What I do believe based on actual reporting is … Cleveland, Miami, Philly,” Stein said during Bleacher Report’s NBA Summer League livestream.“He is looking at Eastern Conference destinations with much more seriousness than I think… if you would’ve gone back even two weeks and polled the other 29 front offices.”ESPN’s Anthony Slater later reported that even the Warriors—one of James’ most aggressive suitors—had privately viewed Cleveland as the favorite from the beginning of free agency.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCharania’s latest update echoes that reporting, centering the race around Cleveland, Miami and Philadelphia as James approaches his decision.LeBron James contests a jump shot by Nikola Jokic during a Los Angeles Lakers game against the Denver Nuggets.Getty LeBron James defends Nikola Jokic during a Lakers-Nuggets matchup. The Nuggets remain linked to James in free agency, but NBA insider Marc Stein said Eastern Conference teams appear to have gained momentum in the race.From a basketball standpoint, few situations compare to what the Nuggets can offer.A partnership between James and Jokić has fascinated league observers for years because of their elite basketball IQ, passing ability and ability to elevate teammates.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Nuggets also rem