Carlton has been front-page news regarding the future of Tom De Koning, as he weighs up a monster $12 million deal from St Kilda.

The Blues are hopeful the star ruckman remains at IKON Park, but have opened the possibilities of a future without De Koning.

But as the club sits precariously outside the top eight with a list deemed premiership ready, could there be major moves on the agenda come the 2025 trade and draft periods?

Carlton is currently without a first-round pick after swapping selections to snare Jagga Smith last year, with their first pick coming at 35.

Here are five trade and free agency targets for Carlton to consider this year...

3Reilly O'Brien

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Tom De Koning of the Blues and Reilly O'Brien of the Crows during the 2025 AFL Round 08 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Carlton Blues at Adelaide Oval on May 3, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Tom De Koning of the Blues and Reilly O'Brien of the Crows during the 2025 AFL Round 08 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Carlton Blues at Adelaide Oval on May 3, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Adelaide ruckman comes into Carlton calculations for multiple reasons.

For starters, the prospect of Tom De Koning leaving remains very real, and the Blues will need to bolster this position, ideally with an experienced head to assist the star-studded midfield group.

But the second, and more importantly, is the Crows' interest in Essendon's Sam Draper, and the lack of movement on O'Brien's deal beyond 2025.

Adelaide and O'Brien have yet to come to terms regarding his future, leaving the door ajar for a rival to swoop.

The 29-year-old originally hails from Melbourne and could finish his career in his home state, with the Blues placed nicely to lure him east.

O'Brien is an established ruckman and will slot nicely alongside Patrick Cripps and co, which could fill the De Koning-sized void.