While the 2017 NBA All-Star Game featured a reunion of three former Oklahoma City teammates, it's now back to business as usual. Despite being on the same roster for the Western Conference, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Durant will now become foes on the court again. The trio of former Thunder stars who made it to the NBA Finals together are also leading the way in the 2017 NBA MVP race, but the odds favor Mr. Harden to take the award as of the latest update.

Current MVP odds leaders

Various sports books put out betting odds for who will win big awards in professional sports.

These include honors such as the Cy Young award in MLB, as well as the MVP awards for football and basketball. As of right now, Paddy Power sports books is giving overseas bettors odds on who will win the NBA's award.

  • James Harden 10/11
  • Russell Westbrook 7/5
  • Kevin Durant 17/2
  • LeBron James 11/1
  • Kawhi Leonard 12/1

As seen above, Harden has a slight edge in the MVP race at the moment over his former teammate. Harden's Rockets are overachieving this season thanks to the MVP candidate. As of this report, the team is 40-18 overall and sits at second in their division. In terms of the Western Conference, they are third overall behind Golden State and San Antonio. Consider that a quiet feat, as the other two teams get all the mention.

James Harden has been averaging 29.2 points, 11.3 assists, and 8.3 rebounds, which is nearly a triple-double.

The fact that he has his team mentioned as one of the top-tier squads outside of the two major contenders is certainly a feat, and gives him the easy lead at the moment.

Westbrook or Durant?

It's no secret that Kevin Durant now plays for the league's best overall team and he is leading the way in scoring. KD is averaging 25.8 points per game on a team that includes two other big scorers in Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.

In addition to that, Durant is grabbing just over eight rebounds and dishing out over four assists per contest. Many times, the MVP award has gone to the best player on the best team. In this case, it's Durant, as he now overshadows his teammate Stephen Curry, a two-time winner.

Russell Westbrook has been achieving a feat that hasn't been seen in some time in the NBA. The All-Star guard from the OKC Thunder is averaging a triple-double and keeping his team afloat without KD. Westbrook leads the league with his 31.1 points per game and also dishes out 10.1 assists a game while snatching over 10 rebounds.

There have been questions as to whether or not he can keep up the feat, but if he does, and Harden's Rockets start to stumble a bit, that could give Russ the edge back.

Other contenders?

It's really a race between the top three at the moment, but honorable mentions go to other stars on the odds list. They include San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard who is quietly continuing to lead the franchise in the post-Duncan years. Isaiah Thomas is one of the top scoring leaders not just overall, but in the fourth quarter, and has put the Boston Celtics into relevance again as a playoff contender.

There's always the case for a certain New Orleans Pelicans star to take the award, should things really shift for the team with DeMarcus Cousins joining the lineup.

Anthony Davis' squad has struggled so far, but it could soon be surging into playoff position. That could also give Davis a boost in the race if he continues to stay healthy.

And don't forget about "The King" when it comes to this discussion. Cleveland Cavs star LeBron James is always a candidate when he's having a healthy and productive season, which is basically every year. When it comes down to it, one of these greats is going to take home the prestigious award, but all of those mentioned would prefer the Larry O'Brien trophy to go to their respective squad.
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