New York ? The Bulls’ selection Thursday night of Kansas University senior point guard Kirk Hinrich as their top pick in the NBA draft sends several messages.

They’re doubtful about Jay Williams’ chances of returning after his serious motorcycle accident. They’re not confident in the overall maturity and ability of Jamal Crawford, the point guard who finished last season.

They’d like to keep pressure on Crawford, whose work ethic has been in debate since he again showed up late this off-season for workouts. There’s concern Crawford would relax too much with no one to compete with at the position.

And they’d like to keep open the possibility of dealing Crawford, who has value around the NBA. They were talking with several teams about dealing him before Williams’ injury.

Could it mean the Heat and the Bulls are ready to make that long-rumored Eddie Jones deal now that the Heat drafted shooting guard Dwyane Wade? The Heat have tried before to get Crawford and the Bulls have long coveted the defensive-minded Jones.

“I’m a point guard,” said Hinrich, who admitted he was somewhat surprised to be selected by the Bulls after an uncertain workout in Chicago. “I think I have the versatility to play the other (guard) spot if needed. I did that a lot this year. But I do think I am a point guard, though.”

For many reasons, Hinrich was the right pick.

Marquette’s Wade isn’t what the Bulls need, a shooting guard with limited range. He was the popular choice of media and fans, a hard-working player who excelled in the NCAA Tournament and a local favorite from south suburban Richards High School.

He’s a scorer, but he wasn’t about to displace Jalen Rose. Although the Bulls might like to trade Rose because of his long-term contract, there’s little interest around the NBA in taking on long-term deals because of the penal luxury tax.

The Bulls were said to be leaning toward France’s Mickael Pietrus if Wade were taken. The thinking was they have enough offense and their greatest need is a defensive stopper on the perimeter, which Pietrus could be.

But general manager John Paxson never did see Pietrus in person, and it’s always a risk taking an international player. Plus Pietrus hasn’t scored much in a weak French league.

So the Bulls went what really is the sure way, picking a coach’s son, a senior, a decision-maker, a terrific perimeter shooter.

The next John Paxson? Hinrich is more athletic and even a better shooter.

He shot 43 percent in his career from the three-point line, which is closer than the NBA’s three-pointer. His career scoring average is only 12.4 per game, but he averaged 17.3 last season.

Although the Bulls have a team tilted toward offense, they needed a good perimeter shooter to spread the floor and open up the middle for their big players, Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler.

“I’m real happy to be going to Chicago,” said Hinrich, who’ll get a contract worth about $7 million for three years and starting at about $2.2 million. “It could be a good situation.

“Working out for them was kind of strange. When I worked out for them people were hurt and I ended up working out against small forwards. It was kind of awkward, but I guess it went all right. But I didn’t think I had any chance (of being taken by the Bulls) until the last few days.”