Kevin Durant Picks James Harden over LeBron James to Win 2018 NBA MVP

Golden State Warriors swingman Kevin Durant is backing his former teammate in this season's MVP race.

"James Harden," Durant said when asked to pick a 2017-18 MVP, per Sam Amick of USA Today.

Durant said the race isn't close when he selected the Houston Rockets guard but acknowledged Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James has played great down the stretch.

"I mean [LeBron] is definitely playing great ball, but I just think that James has had a way better year," Durant said.

Durant was the 2013-14 MVP and James is a four-time MVP and one of the greatest players in NBA history. But Harden has never captured the trophy despite finishing second in the voting twice, including last season behind former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook.

Harden's case is clear. He leads the league in scoring at 30.6 points per game and is third in assists at 8.8 a night. His Rockets boast the NBA's best record at 62-15, while James' Cavaliers are fighting with the Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers for the Eastern Conference's No. 3 seed at 47-30.

Still, James is third in the league in scoring at 27.4 points per game and second in assists at 9.1 a night. He has also led the Cavaliers through significant roster upheaval after they traded Isaiah Thomas, Dwyane Wade, Derrick Rose, Jae Crowder, Channing Frye and Iman Shumpert and acquired George Hill, Rodney Hood, Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson.

While Harden received Durant's MVP nod, he is chasing another first, as Houston is primed to challenge for the championship.

The Warriors have dealt with injuries all season and are without Stephen Curry because of a Grade 2 MCL sprain. Golden State is the reigning champion and the experienced side with three straight trips to the NBA Finals and two of the last three Larry O'Brien Trophies, but Harden and Houston would have home-court advantage against them in a potential playoff series.

Parlaying that into a title would likely be even more appealing to Harden than an MVP award.