The Crows were expected to trade Tippett to the Swans in return for the Swans' pick 22 at the NAB AFL Draft and fringe ruckman Jesse White.
But the deal remained in limbo as the Crows instead signed Richmond ruck Graham.
Adelaide, given Tippett's decision to leave the club, entered the trade period seeking a ready-made support ruckman for its first-choice tap-man Sam Jacobs.
White was expected to fill the void, but Adelaide gave Richmond its draft pick No.40 in return for the similarly-styled Graham and the Tigers' pick No.50.
Tippett's future might not be decided until the end of the trading period next Friday, Adelaide's list manager David Noble said.
"Nothing will be signed off today," Noble told Adelaide radio station 5AA.
"What we are working towards is the best goddamn deal we can get for our club."
Tippett has forced Adelaide to negotiate solely with the Swans, steadfast in wanting to join the reigning premiers and refusing to deal with other clubs.
And if a deal can't be reached with the Swans, Adelaide risks losing Tippett for nothing in the pre-season draft given the ruckman-forward could price himself out of the reach of clubs with picks before the Swans.
But Noble said the Crows were "exploring all options" for Tippett, believed to be asking a salary of more than $800,000.
"We have got a guy who has decided that he doesn't want to partake in our footy club, and he has gone - that is a win," Noble said of Tippett.
But Noble said the Graham deal "possibly" impacted on the Tippett trade, declining to elaborate.
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