Adelaide will zero in on the draft after sealing trade negotiations for Paul Seedsman, but the Crows could still lose midfielder Sam Kerridge before Thursday's NAB AFL Trade Period deadline.
Adelaide say it has completed its incoming trade business after signing Dean Gore (Geelong), Curtly Hampton (GWS) and Seedsman (Collingwood) to provide pace and run from half-back.
But Kerridge has a tempting contract offer in front of him from Carlton and could depart West Lakes.
AFL.com.au first reported a week ago that the Blues were making an aggressive bid for the out-of-contract midfielder, likely to be a three-year deal.
"We had a contract to Sam before the end of the season. I know (list manager Justin Reid) had had several discussions with Winston Rous, his manager," Crows head of football David Noble told NAB AFL Trade Radio.
"Carlton are keen, they've offered him a longer-term deal, and we respect Sam's opportunity to look elsewhere.
"Should he decide to stay we'd love to keep him – there's no issue there – but if he's looking for opportunity that may be one he's looking to explore by Thursday."
Kerridge only managed one senior game in 2015, taking his tally to 27 matches in four seasons since he was recruited from the Bendigo Pioneers with pick 27 in 2011.
While the 22-year-old could join superstar Patrick Dangerfield by walking out the door, the Crows are pleased with their trade dealings after adding dash to their backline.
"It's been something for us the last couple of years, we couldn't quite get it right last year with the trade period," Noble said.
"We were lucky to have Riley Knight and Rory Atkins debut and come through this year, but we certainly needed to strengthen the top-end speed.
"So with Curtly and Paul coming on board, we think that it just adds another dimension.
"We had (Gore) high on our draft order and unfortunately we weren't able to pick him at the time (last year).
"He's a running half-back (or) inside midfielder … he keeps his feet, doesn't fumble, he's very competitive and he's a very good user of the ball by foot.
"You're always hopeful that the guys you really like you're able to bring back home that you think can add to your team – and he was certainly one of those."
With picks nine, 13 and 28, the Crows will now go searching for elite talent at next month's draft – with two young South Australians in their sights.
Tall defender Aaron Francis from West Adelaide and Central Districts half-forward Wayne Milera are first-round prospects that the Crows are targeting.
"They bring great talent, you don't have to relocate guys … certainly those guys from an SA perspective have been very strong performers and would be very strong considerations for us," Noble said.
"The recruiting guys wanted three (picks) inside 30. We've got a little bit of an issue in that age profile, which we think we've now fixed with Dean, Seedsman and Hampton in that bracket that we had that 21 to 23-year-old group.
"Now we want to go to the draft and take top-end talent."
