Durant, Paul, George stay put

LOS ANGELES — NBA free agency began Sunday (Monday Phl time) with reports of stars Kevin Durant, Paul George and Chris Paul staying with their clubs.

Under NBA rules, contracts cannot be finalized until Friday but news about player plans began circulating quickly once the period for conversations began.

George, considered a possible target for the Los Angeles Lakers in a bid to lure Cleveland star James, was captured on video at a party at teammate Russell Westbrook's home saying he would stay in Oklahoma City.

"I'm here to stay," George said in the posting by a reporter for "The Franchise" radio station.

George later posted a photo of himself with Westbook on Instagram with the caption "Unfinished Business" and the Thunder tweeted that general manager Sam Presti "intends" to sign George, a deal ESPN reported was worth $137 million over four years.

Carmelo Anthony had opted last week to remain with the Thunder, which lost to Utah in the first round of this year's NBA playoffs.

Also citing "unfinished business" in staying put was Houston Rockets star point guard Paul, who tweeted "UNFINISHED BUSINESS... RUN IT BACK," with an emoji of a Rocket ship blasting off.

The Rockets, who had the best record in the NBA last season at 65-17, lost to eventual champion Golden State in seven games in the Western Conference final, with Paul out with an injury the past two games.

The Houston Chronicle and ESPN reported Paul's deal to reunite with NBA Most Valuable Player and scoring champion James Harden will be for four years at $160 million.

Kevin Durant will resign with Golden State for two years, the New York Times reported, keeping the two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player with a club that has won three of the past four crowns and seeks a fifth consecutive trip to the finals next year.