Knicks Rumors: Latest Reports Before 2016 NBA Draft Lottery

It isn't much of a surprise that the New York Knicks are dominating the conversation going into Tuesday's NBA draft lottery.

With Carmelo Anthony wanting some help, a coaching search underway and a guy by the name of Phil Jackson at the controls, it was only a matter of time before the Knicks stepped into the spotlight and refused to budge.

After hitting it out of the park last year with Kristaps Porzingis, New York remains one of the bigger players to watch ahead of the lottery. Below, let's take a look at the top rumblings surrounding the team.

Jeff Hornacek Surfaces in Coaching Search

It's no secret that Jackson has a finely tuned list of names he'd like to employ as the team's head coach, though Jeff Hornacek didn't seem to be among them.

Until now.

According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, the former Phoenix Suns head coach has joined David Blatt and the usual Jackson suspects on the list:

It's an interesting development, as Hornacek got canned by the Suns after not helping the franchise much and boasts a career 101-112 mark as a head coach.

Yet maybe this shouldn't be too much of a shock because of the influence Anthony could have on the decision. It wasn't long ago when Anthony stressed he wants the Knicks to do their due diligence in an interview with Steve Popper of the Record.

"As long as there’s a process and you go through the proper channels to figure out exactly what you need to do, I don’t have no problem with that," he said. "But if you don’t go through that process and at least look to see what’s out there, then we have a problem with that."

This is a new angle for the Knicks and perhaps a commitment to showing Anthony the process won't boil down to hiring someone Jackson alone likes.

Knicks Ready to Gun for Nicolas Batum?

Of course, there are still the on-court upgrades, not just the search for a head coach. 

Many presume the Knicks will be in on the biggest names around this summer, but glue guys worth major dollars aren't out of the question, either.

While taking questions on social media, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders revealed the Knicks may be willing to throw major cash at Nicolas Batum:

It isn't much of a surprise to hear that Batum might want to stick with the Charlotte Hornets after a surprising 48-34 season and a solid postseason run.

Batum would look great in New York, though. One of the game's better two-way players, Batum is just 27 years old and coming off a season in which he posted averages of 14.9 points, 5.8 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game while again acting as a defensive enforcer.

In other words, he'd be a major upgrade at shooting guard over Arron Afflalo. Batum's addition wouldn't fix the team's problems at the point or under the basket, but it would be one large step in the right direction.

Now, New York just has to hope Batum changes his mind about Charlotte.

Buying Way into the Draft

Jackson has done an incredible job with the hand he was dealt when he joined the Knicks, but he's still trying to make things happen through the draft despite an iffy slate of resources. 

This year, the Knicks won't have a crazy-high selection to use on another core foundational piece to groom like they did last year, which is why the Knicks want to add as much as they can via trades, according to Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv:

A late first-round pick would be a gigantic boon for the organization. The Knicks roster boasts Jose Calderon as the starting point guard with Robin Lopez manning the center spot—not to mention the stunning lack of depth.

It seems as though there are endless options near the end of the first round, too, such as Maryland point guard Melo Trimble or Kansas forward Cheick Diallo.

Adding any prospect at all would be a win, though, as free agency cannot fill every hole on the roster.

Keep an eye on the Knicks.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.