Allegiances in sports are supposed to be stable. Especially when theyâre loud, public, and long-standing. Thatâs why Maxx Crosbyâs sudden change of heart caught so many people off guard.
The Las Vegas Raidersâ defensive cornerstone has never been subtle about his fandom.
For years, Crosby openly backed the Los Angeles Clippers, often cheering them on with the same intensity he brings to the field every Sunday.
But one NBA trade was enough to rewrite that loyaltyâalmost instantly.
When news broke that the Clippers had traded James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Crosby didnât hesitate. He took to social media with a message that made his new stance unmistakably clear.
âNever thought I would be rooting for the Cavs ever⊠LFG!!!!! Ring time!â Crosby wrote, tagging Harden directly.

It wasnât a joke. It wasnât hedged. It was a full pivot.
The trade itself was significant. Los Angeles sent Harden to Cleveland in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
On paper, itâs a deal that makes sense for both sides. The Clippers move on from a 36-year-old superstar while acquiring a younger, controllable guard in Garland.
The Cavaliers, meanwhile, add a proven offensive engine who can ease the workload on Donovan Mitchell.
But Crosby wasnât thinking about roster flexibility or usage rates.
He was thinking about rings.
James Hardenâs career rĂ©sumĂ© is already historicâ11 All-Star selections, an MVP award, and some of the most prolific scoring seasons the league has ever seen.

Yet one thing remains conspicuously absent: an NBA championship. For players and fans alike, that omission has lingered longer than the box scores.
Crosby made it clear thatâs what heâs rooting for now.
By aligning himself with Hardenâs new chapter in Cleveland, Crosby revealed something deeper than casual fandom. He wasnât pledging loyalty to a logo.
He was following a player. A journey. A pursuit of something unfinished.
That perspective resonatesâespecially coming from someone like Crosby.

In the NFL, Crosby is known for relentless effort, consistency, and an obsession with winning that borders on personal.
He understands what it means to be elite without the ultimate reward. And perhaps thatâs why Hardenâs situation struck a chord.
The irony isnât lost, either.
Crosby never imagined himself rooting for the Cavaliers. He said as much. Cleveland wasnât part of his basketball identity.

But sports fandom has a way of shifting when the narrative changesâand Hardenâs arrival changes everything for the Cavs.
For Los Angeles, the move marks a transition. Garland gives the Clippers a younger guard who can stabilize the offense and remain under contract through the 2027â28 season.
The team stays competitive, just different.

For Cleveland, the expectations spike immediately.
Harden brings scoring, playmaking, and postseason experience. He also brings pressure. Every season now feels like a windowâand everyone watching knows it.
Crosbyâs public switch may seem trivial in the grand scheme of the NBA, but it highlights how star movement reshapes not just rosters, but emotional investments. Fansâand playersâfollow stories, not just teams.
Right now, the story Crosby is invested in is simple.

He wants to see James Harden finally get his ring.
And heâs not hiding it.
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