New Yorkers are an extremely skeptical breed of people, but the last twenty-some iterations of this professional basketball team has given reason for even the most optimistic Knicks faithful to doubt the light at the end of the tunnel. There is no need to rehash the negligent history of James Dolan and each of his front offices. Any person with half a brain can conclude that the Knicks have mangled rebuild after rebuild.

Enter Phil Jackson.

The Knicks haven't won a title since the Zen Master captured his last as a player in 1973 and Jackson's first season at the helm has been marred by negativity. The national media, largely feeding off public schadenfreude, would have you believe the Knicks future is so bleak not even Jackson's eleven rings provide a glimmer of hope.

The Knicks have two pieces worth building around: Carmelo Anthony and a 2015 lottery pick. According to Spotrac.com, the team figures to have at least $30 million in cap room, or enough for a max deal and some spare parts. However, at some point Melo will likely need knee surgery and it is far from guaranteed the Knicks can attract a top-tier free agent. Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge are unlikely to leave comfy situations in Memphis and Portland for less money. The consensus seems to be that Jackson will end up overpaying a mid-level player, surrounding a hobbled Melo with mediocre players.

The problem? This line of thinking requires some seriously flawed logic. To blindly assume Jackson and co. will repeat the same mistakes of past front offices is not only dumb, but requires one to overlook facts that suggest there is a larger plan in place and even runs contrary to comments directly from the Knicks' President of Basketball Ops.

"As our journey moves through this season, we will search for the type of players that fit the style we hope to exhibit for our fans. Our desire is to improve our ability to compete," Jackson said. "In addition, these transactions improve our flexibility to the current roster and the salary cap for future seasons."

In simple terms, rebuilding in the NBA requires two things:

1) Getting rid of bad contracts

2) Not adding any other bad contracts.

While the salaries of Amare Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani come off the books at the conclusion of this season, the Knicks traded away J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and waived Samuel Dalembert, all moves that fall in line with a rebuilding plan leading to free agency this summer. Even if the Knicks fail to sign a marquee player, it will be almost impossible to overpay for a second-tier talent because of the salary cap skyrocketing up in 2016-17 due to the NBA's new TV deal. Wherever the team ends up picking in the 2015 draft, Jackson will have a shot at nabbing a cost-control, franchise-level player.

There will be much debate over the specifics, any number of players including DeAndre Jordan, Draymond Green, Tobias Harris, Jahlil Okafor, Karl-Anthony Towns or Emmanuel Mudiay could realistically be sporting the blue and orange next season. It is also unknown if Derek Fisher, Jackson second choice to patrol the sidelines, will end up being the answer at head coach.

Countless other factors can set back the franchise years, but the facts remain: Phil Jackson will likely have a top five draft pick in his pocket and more 2015 cap room than a number of non-contenders including the Nets, Jazz, Nuggets, Magic, Timberwolves, and Kings.

Regardless of what the Knicks look like in five years, contending for a league title or in the midst of another rebuild, it is simply not true to say the team's future is bleak.