RICHMOND has been warned that it would have to pay Chris Judd up to $2 million if it concocted a deal with West Coast that would put the champion in the pre-season draft.

As Carlton and West Coast moved a step closer to a deal — with pick three and young key forward Josh Kennedy already agreed upon — Judd's management is believed to have cautioned the Tigers against striking a "Veale deal" with the Eagles that would force Judd to Richmond via the pre-season draft against his wishes.

The extreme scenario that led the Judd camp to caution Richmond was the prospect that West Coast — unhappy with Carlton's offer and the lack of alternative bids for Judd — would deal exclusively with Richmond, and give up pick two, 18 and perhaps 19, and in return would let Judd go into the pre-season draft.

Under this scenario, Mitch Morton also would be sent to Richmond — a deal that is close to finalisation, regardless of the outcome of Judd negotiations.

Aware of this possibility, Carlton and Judd's manager Paul Connors determined that Judd could be priced beyond Richmond's reach, with Connors contacting Richmond football director Greg Miller to let him know that an unprecedented price would be placed on Judd's head in the event that he was forced into the pre-season draft.

Miller is believed to have responded that no price would frighten the Tigers, but last night he said: "We have reasonable room in the salary cap. I'm not sure I have $2 million, but we have reasonable room."

Richmond is believed to have had discussions with West Coast about scenarios that could involve the pre-season draft.

The Eagles, understandably, are mindful of their difficult bargaining position, with Carlton the only club bidding for Judd's services, and needed the Tigers involved.

Miller reiterated that Richmond was interested in Judd only in the event "that things don't work out with Carlton".

Richmond also has had discussions with Carlton about a pre-season deal in which the Blues would give up pick three and perhaps swap picks in return for the Tigers passing on Judd and letting him cross to Carlton, without the Eagles receiving any compensation.

As it stands today, Carlton is willing to give up pick three and Kennedy — who is reluctant to leave the Blues, but is willing to entertain the move back to his home state. West Coast is not satisfied and wants more compensation for arguably the best player in the competition.

The Blues appeared ready to offer pick 20 as well, but wanted West Coast's second-round selection, pick 30, back in return.

The problem with the pick 20 situation is that West Coast already has pledged to give pick 30 to Richmond as a part of the Morton deal — giving up pick 19 and getting 30 in return.

The "Veale deal" refers to the manner in which Jade Rawlings was forced to the Bulldogs by Hawthorn in 2003, when the Hawks traded pick six to the Dogs in return for unheralded Lochlan Veale, giving Rawlings no choice.