Utah Jazz: Team trims 2 players off of preseason roster

With the NBA opener just a week away, the Jazz moved a bit closer this morning to getting their bulging roster trimmed down to where it needs to be for the regular season.

Free agent forwards Kevin Lyde and Gabe Muoneke were cut by Utah's front office today, a Jazz spokesman announced prior to the team's practice session.

The transaction moves leave the Jazz with 16 players, including free agent point guard Gerry McNamara and 15 players with guaranteed contracts for the 2008-09 season.

NBA teams are only allowed to carry a maximum of 15 players on their rosters during the regular season, so the Jazz will have to do some more roster trimming in the next week.

In other practice-related news, Jazz second-year center Kyrylo Fesenko didn't practice today because he is sick. Fesenko is expected to play in Thursday night's preseason finale against Portland at EnergySolutions Arena, a Jazz spokesperson said.

Jazz veterans Matt Harpring (ankle infection rehab) and Jarron Collins (severe triceps tendinitis) also did not practice with the team Wednesday.

With Deron Williams out at least two weeks with a sprained ankle, the Jazz will wait to make a final decision on McNamara.

Muoneke, a former four-year starter at Texas who's bounced around various pro leagues on several continents, played in four of the Jazz's six preseason games. He averaged 7.5 minutes, 1.3 points (with no field goals) and 0.8 rebounds.

Lyde, a 6-9, 294-pound power forward who was the last player to be cut by the Jazz prior to the 2007-08 season, appeared in just three preseason games with Utah. He chipped in an average of 5.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in 10.3 minutes of action.

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