ESSENDON coach Matthew Knights has not ruled out trading midfielder Andrew Lovett but says the option was yet to be explored this year.

A media report on Thursday morning said Lovett was looking to be traded from the Bombers but Knights said he was yet to discuss the 26-year-old’s future in detail.

“We’re catching up with all our players in the next two days before they head off on their eight-week leave and I’m sure I’ll speak to Andrew in the next 24-48 hours and see if there is any truth in that scenario,” Knights said on SEN radio.

“Andrew’s probably had the best year of his career. He’s been a lot more consistent than in previous years. Some of his goals on the run and some of his breaking the lines play has been sensational.”

Lovett almost changed clubs at last year’s trade week, with both Geelong and the Sydney Swans showing interest. But the clubs could not agree on an appropriate swap.

“There was some interest from the Sydney Swans but there wasn’t a lot of interest in a two-way win-win scenario,” Knights said.

“I hope that from a whole perspective in trade week this year that clubs are more willing to have win-win situations and I’ve got a feeling there is going to be a lot more active trade movement this year.

"That will be good for the competition and I guess players are becoming a little more free in declaring that they want to change clubs and I think that might be healthy.”

Lovett’s history with Essendon has been littered with off-field controversy but Knights said he had improved in 2009.

“There have certainly been much more of those hurdles and speedbumps than most other players and Andrew would be the first to admit that,” he said.

“It does take Andrew a fair bit to continually commit but he’s done it pretty well this year.

"It’s probably been the time where he’s actually knuckled down the most in his career. We can only hope he keeps doing that and keeps developing his game.”

Knights said he supported Josh Gibson going public to express his wish to leave North Melbourne and encouraged more transparency with player movements.

“When you hear it coming from a player you obviously know it is realistic. There is too much talk in this industry about rumours that this bloke wants to go here and this bloke wants to go there,” he said.

“It’s not healthy whereas if a player comes out and suggests he is going to move on it then creates a healthy market. I think players probably are going to get on the front foot and do that.”