Jazz waive four players

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The Jazz waived Othyus Jeffers, Sundiata Gaines, Ryan Thompson and Demetris Nichols on Thursday.Utah's roster stands at 13 after the cuts. All players are active except for center Mehmet Okur, who is recovering from Achilles surgery."It's a part of the job. It's just the nature of the business," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "We can't mope around about it for two or three days. You've got to go back and go to work."Sloan said he was told the roster would be set at 13, and that keeping 14 players since Okur is out was not an option."I don't have a problem with that," Sloan said. "That's the way it is."Sloan and guard Deron Williams said they were not concerned about Utah's depth with the team's regular-season opener just six days away. Moreover, Williams feels that the Jazz's roster is coming together well. Utah is a franchise-best 7-0 during exhibition play."We've still got some things to work on," Williams said. "But I'm definitely happy with how things are going."Meanwhile, X-rays on center Al Jefferson's right hand were negative. Jefferson (bruised right knuckle) did not practice Thursday and is probable for Utah's final preseason game Friday against Sacramento at Energy Solutions Arena.— Brian T. Smithbsmith@sltrib.comTwitter: tribjazz