Swooshing in on Kevin Durant

If Greg Oden is thought to be coming out, there’s a high-stakes tug-of-war going on to head off Texas’ Kevin Durant.

With Nike reportedly ready to offer Durant $30 million to $50 million, Texas Coach Rick Barnes said that the NCAA is changing its rule so players can be insured for $20 million instead of the current $10 million.

The NCAA might also rename it the Phil Knight Rule, in honor of the Nike founder.

Said Barnes: “That’s the kind of step it’s going to take to protect our players and our game.”

(For you irony fans, Texas is a Nike school, so it gets millions from the company too, and Durant is already wearing the swoosh.)

It might not be enough. Quoting unnamed sources, DraftExpress.com reported Saturday that this week Durant will make himself available for the draft.

Not that the educational experience isn’t a valued one, but in another rite of spring, as soon as their season was over, collegians, who fall into the usual two groups, began announcing they’d enter the draft.

As expected

Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer, Florida -- Could all be top 10, although pros want to see if Horford is over 6 feet 8, how flaky Noah is and whether Brewer can shoot.

Spencer Hawes, Washington -- Top 10 candidate but has to show he’s athletic enough.

Jason Smith, Colorado State -- Big late bloomer.

Glen Davis, LSU -- At about 6-7, 290, as ready as he’ll ever be, but Coach John Brady reportedly can explain why he’s called “Big Baby.”

Huh?

Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut -- Hasn’t announced but is expected to. It’s early -- since he can’t play -- but he’s 7-3. Coach Jim Calhoun says the decision is not about basketball but the family’s hardship.

Josh McRoberts, Duke -- Disappointment, but at 6-10 with skills, could go in the teens. Coach Mike Krzyzewski didn’t seem that upset.

Marcus Williams, Arizona -- Coach Lute Olson said to be ready to hold a party.

DeVon Hardin, California -- Hurt after 11 games as a junior, but at 6-10 he’ll get a look.

Welcome to pro ball

It’s all issues all the time in New Jersey, where Jason Kidd was crestfallen at not becoming a Laker, Richard Jefferson has been upset all season and Vince Cater, who pooh-poohed an extension, now wants $60 million for three seasons but has been put on hold. “There will be conversation,” Nets President Rod Thorn told the Newark Star-Ledger’s Dave D’Allesandro. “As for whether it will be before the end of the season, let’s see what transpires.” ... The Pistons blew up anew in a 106-88 wipeout at home at the hands of the Bulls. Rasheed Wallace pulled a vintage sulk when Coach Flip Saunders went to a small lineup, and Richard Hamilton, who’s one technical away from a suspension, was ejected. ... General Manager Joe Dumars recently told Chauncey Billups he didn’t have to talk about free agency in every town they played in. In a win at Indiana, Billups and Hamilton wrestled each other for the ball, however playfully, to see who’d shoot a technical foul. Said Hamilton after throwing Billups aside: “The dude needed to get out of my way.”

Famous last words

Phoenix Coach Mike D’Antoni on last week’s rout of the Mavericks: “When you don’t miss a shot, it helps.”

-- Mark Heisler