Should AFL clubs be able to trade players without consent?

Last week saw a monumental trade occur in the NBA, where Kawhi Leonard – formerly of the San Antonio Spurs – and DeMar DeRozan – formerly of the Toronto Raptors – were traded against their knowledge and without their consent.

Leonard will be playing for Toronto and DeRozan for San Antonio next season. This, after Leonard had wanted to be traded to Los Angeles and DeRozan reportedly had been told only a week earlier that he would not be traded.

Players being traded without their consent is a common occurrence within American sports, with only a select few having no-trade clauses.

So what makes this trade so interesting? That both players are genuine superstars.

Before his injury troubles last season, Leonard had won countless accolades, including finishing All NBA first team in 2016 and 2017. Think of it as the All Australian team but with only five players chosen. In 2016 and 2017 he was also voted Defensive Player of the Year. At the end of last season, DeRozan was voted All NBA second team (there are three All NBA teams, voted for at the end of the season) and has been a regular attendee at the NBA All Star Game.

In 2017, Sports Illustrated ranked Kawhi the fourth best player in the NBA and DeRozan at 36th.

Could you even imagine that occurring in the AFL? Two of the best players traded without their knowledge or consent?

Kawhi Leonard is off to Canada. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

According to AFL players votes before the 2018 season, the equivalent would be Lance Franklin (fourth) and Dan Hannebery (36th) being traded. It would be monumental to be able to trade players of that calibre without them knowing or consenting. If you wanted to choose a direct swap, how about Buddy for Dyson Heppell (ranked 40) or Michael Hurley (ranked 34)?

With all the talk of starting positions, zones and other rule changes, could you not see the AFL changing this? Clause 22.2 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement from 2017-2022 forbids a player being exchanged (traded) unless the player genuinely consents to it. So rest easy football fans, any changes could not occur until the next CBA is negotiated.

This was discussed briefly on SEN recently and AFL Players Association CEO Paul Marsh noted, “We often forget AFL players are human beings like the rest of us, they should have a choice as to where they work.”

However, the AFL is one of the most well-paid industries in Australia, with an average wage of $352,470. According to ATO data from 2015-16, that would make it the third-highest earning profession in the country, behind surgeons and anaesthetists.

On that point alone, it is not your average industry, so given they are so well paid, should they not be required to move based on need? Needless to say, based on Marsh’s language, this would not have the support of the players.

The clubs would likely support it, even if that support might not be overt, so as to not to disenfranchise the players. But clubs get frustrated when players nominate clubs to go to in trades, as it limits the ability of the home club to get the best deal.

Think of Brisbane a few years ago, losing players in droves below market value. Elliot Yeo, in particular, was traded for a second round pick and last year was All Australian. Sam Docherty was traded for a second round pick the same year.

Also, this would enable clubs to be more flexible with their squads and would also minimise the impact of destination clubs, as wherever has more to offer the home club would generally get the player.

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There would be pros and cons in allowing players to be traded without consent. The AFL would love the heightened media coverage during the trade period, especially if there is uncertainty, as the current trade periods are formulaic, with surprises being rare. However, it would also create discontent from the players and would also require the game to offer something substantial to get the AFLPA to support such a move.

For fans, it would add to the intrigue of the trade period (and trade rumours throughout the season), as it would lead to heightened uncertainty about which players will move. It could also create the perception that clubs can turn the tide quickly through shrewd player acquisitions, instead of bottoming out through the draft, which appears to be the norm now.

However, it would also have a negative impact, as one of the great aspects of our game is the continuity of players on teams and there is generally little movement. I would certainly not enjoy the NBA environment where, according to Basketball Reference, 91 players in history have played for eight clubs or more – that is almost half the AFL’s total teams.

It would also be the middle-to-lower ranked players who would be required to move without their consent the most often, similar to the NBA, where blockbuster trades of superstar players are rare.

What do you think? Should the AFL consider exploring players being traded without of their consent?