Carlton are considering a pick swap with the Brisbane Lions that could throw a spanner in the works for the Bombers' initial plans of dealing Adam Saad to the Blues' Pick 8, reports The Herald Sun.
The Blues are contemplating trading Pick 8 to the Lions in exchange for Picks 18 and 19, which would then see Pick 18 offered to the Bombers as part of the Saad deal and Pick 19 to be used through the draft or as a trade option to bring another player in.
The move would allow the Blues to gain an extra asset to use during the trade period as they look to bolster their talent stocks.
Should the trade between the Blues and Lions take place, it's believed Essendon will target Carlton's future-first rounder and bank on the Blues missing the finals in 2021.
As highly as Carlton rate Saad, they do not want to use Pick 8 in a move for the Bombers speedster.
Trading in two later first rounders for their Pick 8 boosts Carlton's draft points to 1933 points combined from 1551 points with just Pick 8 alone.
The move also helps the Lions move up significantly in the draft and allows them a shot at another youngster that could be an impact player as they look to go one-step further towards a premiership in 2021.
