The New York Knicks have a plan for young point guards Frank Ntilikina and Emmanuel Mudiay, and despite the sense in the immediate aftermath of the trade with Denver that brought Mudiay to New York, that plan does not include the growth and development of one at the expense of the other.

Knicks general manager Scott Perry made that clear when he explained the franchise’s thinking on the deal that went down on a wild trade deadline day that was busier as any in recent memory. The Knicks, right now, are in the talent acquisition business, young talent in particular given the state of their rebuild. The procurement of that talent, Marc Berman of the New York Post explains, was the first priority in this case:

Knicks general manager Scott Perry said the addition of young point guard Emmanuel Mudiay is part of the team’s “talent acquisition phase” and is no reflection on any disappointment with struggling rookie lottery point guard Frank Ntilikina.

Thursday’s trade with the Nuggets for Mudiay, a lottery pick in 2015, gives the Knicks four point guards — including three lottery picks 25 and under.

Perry said the move would have been “attractive” regardless of Kristaps Porzingis’ catastrophic ACL tear, which jeopardizes next season, too. Perry said he believes Mudiay can “blossom” in new surroundings.

“A former lottery pick was available, and he adds ingredients to our roster that can be very helpful,” Perry said in a Friday conference call to discuss the trade-deadline acquisition. “I envision [the point guards] competing with one another and alongside one another. I’ve discussed the importance of adding more athleticism and ball-handling to the team. It will help each one of these guys. I’m excited how it manifests itself on the court. There’s some promising options.”