The second superstar in the last week looks set to test the open market after reportedly knocking back a deal from their club.
Hot off the heels of Sam Walker saying he'd test his worth in November, Knights superstar Bradman Best now looks set to join him.
Much like with Walker, there will be 15 NRL sides lining up to have a crack at one of the game's elite centres.
Below I've narrowed it down to six potential landing spots.
Here are six potential landing spots for Bradman Best, come 2028:
4. Cronulla Sharks
12 months ago if you'd have linked Best to the Sharks I'd have doubted it. Now, I can absolutely see it happening.
I was certain that the Sharks had their long-term centre in Michael Gabrael but with him recently being overlooked for Mawene Hiroti, I'm no longer convinced.
The Sharks have a huge turnover of players over the next 18 months with some big money players set to exit.
They've added Leo Jacques, Chris Matagi and Owen Trout. None of which I can see breaking the bank.
Two straight Prelims and a guaranteed Finals appearance in 2026 are amazing but the fans in the Shire want a Premiership.
Yes KL Iro is also a left centre but you give either Best or Iro an off-season and they'll be fine on the right. Elite players can swap sides.
The Sharks feel one piece short of a genuine title tilt. Best would provide that piece and surely the Sharks could free up what is required to be in the running.
Hmmm Just because Craig Fitzgibbon hasn’t played Gabrael doesn’t mean Hiroti must be better. The Cronulla coach doesn’t like bringing in new people, possibly because he is afraid that they will take a few weeks to settle in. He’d rather play someone who he knows rather than someone who could be better later on. I suspect that he feels that the last few rounds of the season are the worst time to be bringing in anyone new. He is reaping the “rewards” of his “minimal risk” approach over the previous 20-odd weeks. Once Hiroti leaves at the end of the season, the coach will give Gabrael a run. Too late for 2026, though.
Storm ? No – they have recruited Xerri and Isako – as you have pointed out. Melbourne needs forwards and needs them now. They need to keep their salary cap available for any decent forward who becomes available for 2026, not contract another back and not one who will not be available for another twelve months.
Canberra ? Would he really want to go there ? Perth ? You could ask the same question. PNG ? Did he enjoy Covid so much that he wants to go back into living in a compound ?
If Bradman Best has any sense, he will just sit on his hands at Newcastle for 12 months, and negotiate at the end of season 2027, when he will become available _immediately_ and he can parlay that into some extra cash.