Casey Anthony -- NBC in Driver's Seat for Interview Deal

Casey Anthony and Matt Lauer could be meeting really soon, because she's been wheeling and dealing with NBC execs trying to hammer out a deal for a sit-down.

TMZ broke the story ... Anthony, who was acquitted in 2011 of murdering her daughter, flew to New York City last week. We got video of her and veteran producer Don Wood arriving, and according to our sources, NBC paid for the flight.

Since she's been in NYC, the NY Post says Anthony and Wood have met with a senior NBC booker who handles 'Today' and other NBC news programs.

As we've reported, Casey flirted with network interviews in the past, but never closed. As of now ... NBC's saying no deal yet -- and you gotta figure she's also talking to other outlets in NYC.

Stay tuned.