Melbourne is still confident free agent Tom Sparrow will recommit to the club, but coach Steven King acknowledges that as the weeks drag on, a move could be on the cards.
Sparrow hails from South Australia, and has interest from Port Adelaide, who will look to bolster its midfield in anticipation of Zak Butters' departure.
But what King sees at training and on game day, King still believes the Demons on-baller is as committed to the club as any player.
"I'm still optimistic," King said on SEN.
"I'm optimistic because I know Tom as a person and a character. But also the way he's playing for us.
"But I'm also realistic that each week it drags on, the potential or possibility of him exploring and seeing what's out there becomes more real.
"I don't stay up at night stressing about it, but what I want to do is keep doubling down on our environment and giving Tom the opportunity to be his best and play the best footy he can.
"I'm thrilled with the way he's handling it and how he's performing for us. For me, I see him at training every day and the way he plays, I'd say he's 100 per cent committed to our footy club, and as a coach, that's all I can ask for.
"If I got the phone call today saying he'd recommit, I'd be the happiest coach in Australia."
In the wake of Lachie Neale's tour of Collingwood's facilities last week, King was asked whether he would want his players, even Sparrow, doing the same.
"I don't expect him to tell me," King said.
"I'd assume he'd be doing it. It's such a big decision in one's life and career. You want to make sure you understand what you're walking into. I expect any player coming out of contract to, at least, have to meet the prospective clubs face to face, and look at what's around and what they'd be walking into.
"I'm open to that's the way it is at the moment. I feel like that's the environment now. Players have the power and need to be well-informed to make decisions."
And if they do, when is the best time?
Neale met with the Pies the day before Brisbane's clash against Carlton. The Lions lost by 76 points.
"It's probably best not to know," King answered.
"Our players are pretty good at being able to park stuff and move on. You'd rather it be convenient where they don't have to do a separate flight during the week and travel twice."
