In the wake of the recent dramatic NBA trade period, AFL Players Association President Patrick Dangerfield has recently taken to Twitter to suggest an NBA-style mid-season trade deadline for the AFL.

Such drama saw 13-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant and eight-time NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving both leave the Brooklyn Nets, completely changing the complexion of the NBA.

Unlike the NBA where players can be dragged from teams without any say, Dangerfield has proposed that players should "have the final say" if the AFL was to introduce a mid-season trade window.

"Given the NBA trade deadline and the extraordinary interest in it. Is it time to introduce a mid season trade period in the AFL," Dangerfield wrote to social media.

"Helps rebuilding clubs, teams often pay overs to acquire talent.

"Players in the AFL always have the final say and are never traded without consent."

Currently, to bolster the stocks of sides during the middle of the year, the AFL has the Mid-Season Draft which has already produced some standout players, including the likes of Marlion Pickett, John Noble and Jai Newcombe who have all made an impact for their respective sides.

At first glance, a mid-season trade period seems like a good way to vamp up the AFL season during the slow bye rounds.

Further, as Dangerfield mentioned, it would allow players who want out to potentially thrive in a new environment.

Take for example former Lion Dan McStay, who had his mind was made up from the middle of the season that he wanted to leave Brisbane.

Whilst the Magpies did pick up the out-of-contract key forward at the end of the year, there is no doubt that he would have been the perfect pick-up for them with their minimal key forward supply.

However, there are a few complications deeper beneath the surface that would be prevalent in the AFL.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MAY 07: Cooper Stephens, Patrick Dangerfield and Mitch Knevitt of the Cats walk down the race after victory during the round eight AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Geelong Cats at Manuka Oval on May 07, 2022 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )

The most glaring of these is the fact that footballers are not paid nearly as much as NBA players, something that Dangerfield himself conceded.

Replying to a comment on Twitter, Dangefield said: "There's a big difference when NBA players are earning tens of millions not hundreds of thousands."

Some players in the AFL earn under $100,000 compared to an estmated minimum of $1 million in the NBA.

This would mean that players who get traded could potentially be placed in financial hardship whilst still relocating their families interstate.

The other main issue is that players moving to and from the club would lead to a great level of instability within the AFL, asย systems are built around the strengths and weaknesses of the talent available.

Every player has a unique, irreplaceable role in the AFL, something that isn't necessarily the case in the NBA.

Big trades in football require teams to rebuild or tweak their system in some way, often requiring an entire off-season to deal with.

For the moment, such propositions are mere speculation but with the AFL are always looking for ways to boost interest, with a mid-season trade period potentially likely coming with little surprise should it be introduced in the coming years.

One thing for certain is that it would take a significant amount of thought and planning on behalf of the AFL.