Jumping Ship After the 'Ship: When Athletes Leave Championship Teams

It's the classic tale of turning rings into serious cash—and no, we're not talking pawn shops. Athletes who are part of championship-winning teams inevitably gain a higher profile and a newfound respect, which often allows them to leverage better contracts from other squads. The latest example is Trevor Ariza, who left the L.A. Lakers this month to move to the Houston Rockets for $33 million over five years. We're not mad at Trevor for getting his paper, but history has shown that it's not always the best move to leave a proven winner for greener pastures. Keep reading to see a history of players who cashed in on rings and whether or not it was a good decision...