Let there be no confusion and no debate: the New York Knicks are in full-out tank mode. After losing 22 of their last 23 games, Phil Jackson’s Knicks are miles away from saving face by season’s end. With inexperienced coaching, zero team chemistry, and a lack of talent, it’s no wonder this team isn’t very good. But the worst record in the league? Phil couldn’t have done that even if he had tried…or could he?

We should have known the instant he traded Tyson Chandler to the Dallas Mavericks for Samuel Dalembert that in Phil’s mind, this year is not about winning. Since Dalembert has graced the mecca of Madison Square Garden he has been truly and utterly atrocious. Last season, Tyson may not have been an offensive force, but compared to Dalembert he seems like Hakeem Olajuwon on steroids. While Dalembert is having the worst offensive season of his career, Tyson is in the top five in true shooting percentage, and effective field goal percentage. Additionally, Tyson is second in the league among centers for wins produced with a whopping 8.1.

The two other key members of this summer trade were Jose Calderon and Raymond Felton. Jose Calderon, a veteran and supposedly the bright spot in this deal, has turned out to be an overrated Point Guard, who provides nothing beyond average defense and slightly above average three-point shooting. This trade’s greatest accomplishment was getting rid of Raymond Felton, who came into last season out of shape and with a newfound love of unregistered weapons. Sure Calderon is better then Felton, but by getting Tyson the Mavs made out like bandits, just like Phil wanted.

Just days ago Phil executed a three-team trade shipping Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith to Cleveland. In return the Knicks received two trade exemptions and three players with non-guaranteed contracts Alex Kirk and Lou Amundson from the Cavs, and Lance Thomas from Oklahoma City. Shortly after, the Knicks dropped Dalembert saving themselves 3 million. What the Knicks accomplished with this trade was twofold. Firstly, they got rid of two talented players in exchange for cap flexibility, and secondly they told the NBA community that they are aiming to be first. No, not first in the standings, but first in the draft. If you don’t believe me, just check out Tankathon.com which now has New York ahead of the lowly 76’ers in the Draft Power Rankings. Don’t be upset Knicks fans — this means that there’s a 25% chance you can land the highly touted Duke center Jahil Okafor.

The only thing left for Phil to do is convince Carmelo Anthony to sit out the remainder of the season. Even while suffering from injury, Carmelo has insisted that he wants to play and help contribute. Carmelo, I’m sure the fans appreciate the gesture, and the fact that you want to play with what is in essence a D-League team is admirable. However, you just signed a lucrative five-year 124 million dollar contract, so do Knicks fans a favor and help Phil out. Let him tank and save your knees.

All the moves the Phil has made up to this point indicate that he never wanted this team to succeed. Instead, this season was always about clearing the cap to acquire talent in the offseason through the draft and in free agency. How else could you explain his actions thus far? As a fan-base, Knicks fans can rejoice knowing that the Zen Master has complete control in the organization and knows exactly what he is doing. Every move has been calculated. All Knicks fans can hope for now is that they lose in the season and win in the draft. If this plan succeeds, maybe, just maybe, the Knicks will have a chance of acquiring some free agent talent and making a run in 2015-16.