AFL.com.au's Trade Week Radio reported on Saturday that Pickering had confirmed the approach, but he did not shed any light on the likelihood of a deal being done before Monday's 2pm deadline.
Lisle, 21, was recruited from the Oakleigh Chargers with the 50th overall pick at the 2008 NAB AFL Draft.
The versatile big man broke through for his AFL debut against Fremantle in round 11 earlier this year and played five games for the season.
Lisle was one of eight inclusions in the Hawks' team that travelled to the Gold Coast in round 24, but he dropped out of the squad after the nine-point win and did not feature in the club's finals campaign.
Lisle can play forward or back, but competition for spots in Hawthorn's attack intensified with the recent addition of former Crow Jack Gunston, who the club sent pick 24 to Adelaide to acquire.
The Lions are resigned to losing ruckman-forward Mitch Clark, despite stalled talks with Fremantle, and the 196cm Lisle looms as a viable replacement.
