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Top 10 Sports Stars Who Changed Teams During Their Prime

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10 Athletes Who Changed Teams in Their Prime

Stanley Cup Finals X Roy
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Staying with one team your whole career can be overrated. Many players change teams during the midst of their careers, but very few superstars make the leap. However, the same can't be said for these 10 athletes.

Here are 10 sports stars who switched teams in their prime, and for many, the move paid off:

10. Eric Dickerson

Eric Dickerson
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10. Eric Dickerson

Eric Dickerson

Dickerson was on top of his game as a RB for the Rams when he got dealt to the Colts in 1987. He would go on to rush for 2,000+ yards in 1988.

9. Deion Sanders

2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony
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9. Deion Sanders

2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony

Prime Time was already big time when he made the move to San Francisco in 1994. He'd go on to win two Super Bowls after departing from Atlanta.

8. LeBron James

Cleveland Cavaliers v Boston Celtics, Game 1
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8. LeBron James

Cleveland Cavaliers v Boston Celtics, Game 1

So far, so good for King James. Cleveland still hates him for leaving, but he has two rings to show for his time in South Beach.

7. Barry Bonds

BARRY BONDS GIANTS
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7. Barry Bonds

BARRY BONDS GIANTS

Bonds was on track for the Hall of Fame in Pittsburgh and seemingly took his career to new heights in San Fran. However, he turned out to be a big fraud. Allegedly.**

6. Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal
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6. Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal

Shaq was tired of Orlando in 1996 when he decided to join the Lakers and turn heel. He went from mostly loved, to mostly hated.

5. Greg Maddux

Greg Maddux
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5. Greg Maddux

Greg Maddux

Of course the Cubs let a future four-time Cy Young award winner slip way.

4. Reggie White

Philadelphia Eagles
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4. Reggie White

Philadelphia Eagles

White broke hearts when he left Philly after the 1992 season. However, he finally won that elusive Super Bowl in 1996 with the Packers.

3. Babe Ruth

babe ruth
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3. Babe Ruth

babe ruth

Probably the most infamous trade of all time, Ruth going to the Yankees from the Red Sox is still baffling to this day. But to be fair, he only hit 29 home runs in the season before he was dealt.

2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

LOS ANGELES - 1987: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar #33 of the Los Angeles Lakers wins the tip off during an NBA game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California in 1987. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
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2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

LOS ANGELES - 1987: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar #33 of the Los Angeles Lakers wins the tip off during an NBA game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California in 1987. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Not only did Kareem change teams in 1975, he also changed names during his career (formerly Lewis Alcindor). The master of the sky hook would go on to win 5 more championships with the Lakers.

1. Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky
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1. Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky

If you've never watched the 30 for 30 on Gretzky's trade from the Oilers to the Kings -- it's must-see. The impact him changing teams had on the NHL and Canada was/is truly astounding.

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