The introduction of pick trading on draft night has been mooted for the past 12 months, but the addition of player trading may also be introduced as early as next year, according to Inside Football’s Brett Anderson.
Clubs have been preparing for the inclusion of pick trades at the 2018 national draft, with the expectation that player trades could be introduced further down the track.
However, Anderson told SEN's The Run Home that discussions are currently taking place that could see both pick and player trading to be unveiled at next year's draft.
“There has been a bit of discussion around the introduction on draft night of being able to trade live,” he said.
“My understanding is that it’s very much on the cards for next year. Previous to that, we probably thought the ability to trade players on draft night was a while away. My understand is it’s very much in the conversation that the trading of players as well as picks on draft night could be in as early as next year.
“There is a lot to work through with the CBA and I think originally we probably thought it was within line with the new CBA. It will take a lot of work.
“Having spoken to a quite a few clubs over the last 24 hours, they’re hearing that it’s very much a discussion point for next year. Clubs would not be at the draft, they would be back in their individual war room like we have in the US. You’d have a representative at the draft from your club. It might be a coach or an admin person to hand the pick in.
“We probably thought this was a long way away but the discussion is being had at the moment. It could be brought in for next year. Not just picks, but players as well.”
It is believed the ability to trade players who have just been drafted is another possibility. For example, if one club selected a player at pick five, they could immediately deal that player to another club who has pick seven, who offloads that player to the other club.
In the 2017 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers traded pick 28 to the Utah Jazz for picks 30 and 42 on draft night. This is just one of many times the live trading element has been utilised in American sports.
While the discussion surrounding live draft night trading has been around for the last year or so, the opportunity to deal players along with picks as early as next year is the surprising aspect.