Recruiting manager Matt Rendell agreed he would be an onlooker next week and with the quality of the Crows' current list and the perceived weakness of this year's draft talent pool, that's not a bad thing.
The weeks leading up to trade week have become renowned for the seemingly endless rumour mill with 'Player A' linked to 'Club B' or 'Player C' desperately homesick or disgruntled.
Knights and Douglas have somehow managed to creep into that category this year, though Rendell isn't about to test the market.
"They're both very happy where they are," he said from the NAB AFL Draft Camp in Canberra on Thursday.
"Obviously Dougy was a bit in and out this year, but he's very happy to stay and loves the joint.
"Knighter probably struggled a bit early in the season, but found his niche in the forward line where he was outstanding.
"I'm not saying other clubs aren't asking about them, but we're not letting them go because we're very happy with them."
Coach Neil Craig has always professed something nearing complete distaste for the trade process, however, that doesn't mean the Crows won't look to bring in fresh talent if the right scenario emerges.
But it seems highly unlikely.
"You can always enhance your list with good, young players but we don't see a heap of holes in our squad at this stage," Rendell said.
"We will [be sitting on the sidelines], but if you want to trade then you've got to trade for needs. "We don't see too many gaping holes in our best team and we think we've got pretty good back-up."
The Crows are yet to officially re-sign Simon Goodwin, Andrew McLeod, Brett Burton or Tyson Edwards for next year, but Rendell said there was a fair chance the club would make the minimum three changes to its list.
That would appear to bode well for the four veterans.
