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At the same time, centers Mikki Moore and Vitaly Potapenko, the Sonics biggest health concerns, are feeling better. Moore practiced for the first time in a couple of weeks Wednesday and could play tomorrow against the Los Angeles Clippers (7:30 p.m., KJR 950 AM). Potapenko will make the trip with the team, and while he won't play, he is nearing a return to practice.

"It felt great to get on the court and bang a little bit. I've been working hard the last two weeks." Sam Forencich/NBAE/Getty

"It felt great to get on the court and bang a little bit," said Moore, who is battling chondromalacia in his left knee. "I've been working hard the last two weeks. The swelling is gone. I had my knee drained and the swelling didn't come back, so Coach and (Athletic trainer) Mike (Shimensky) told me I could get out there and bang a little bit today.

"If it doesn’t swell up by the time we get to the hotel after the flight today, I'm playing tomorrow."

Naturally, the big concern is not having either player available for preseason games, but instead the looming start of the regular season. That is a possibility for Potapenko, Coach Bob Weiss told reporters.

"I think he's going to practice Sunday, and then we'll see," said Weiss. "We've got four days of practice after these last two games."

Moore is also optimistic about his chances of being able to play.

"If the swelling stays down and the fluid doesn't come back, I should be ready for the regular season," he said.

In the case of Potapenko, conditioning is an issue because he has barely practiced during training camp and has not seen any game action. Moore, who played in only the Sonics first preseason game but has gone through more practice, is confident his conditioning won't be a problem.

"I did a lot of pool work," he said. "I worked out on the elliptical machine, where you do a lot of running but there's no stress on your joints. I was doing two-a-days when they (his teammates) were doing one."

While rookie Johan Petro has impressed the coaching staff in Potapenko's absence, Weiss maintained that Potapenko is his starting center when asked a hypothetical about his starting lineup in the absence of injuries.

"If we were injury free? I imagine it would just be Vitaly," Weiss said. "He'd be your starting center. He's got experience, he is a good defender, can make the open shot, so I like him as a starter."

Weiss reiterated that he likes several combinations of players in his frontcourt, including Potapenko and Reggie Evans. The coach still likes Nick Collison and Danny Fortson coming off the bench together, so if Potapenko is unable to play to start the season, indications seem to be that Petro would start alongside Vladimir Radmanovic. The number of options in the frontcourt - which also include Moore and Robert Swift - is something of a problem for Weiss.

"That is a good problem to have, a lot of talent at a certain position," he said, "but there are going to be nights when a person you would like to be playing more doesn't get as many minutes as you would like him to. That's just going to be a game-to-game situation. Injuries are going to play a part in that. Who you're playing against is going to have a part in that."

Painful Cuts

With final rosters due in five days (Oct. 31 at 6 p.m.), Weiss and the Sonics coaches and front office are not anxious to make the team's final cuts. At least two and possibly three players will need to be cut from amongst the 17 players currently in camp, which is difficult because Weiss has consistently maintained that all 17 have the ability to play in the NBA.

"These are the most difficult cuts I've ever, ever seen in the league," said Weiss. "This many quality ballplayers battling to make the basketball team … it's going to be a very tough decision."

How close are the Sonics to making a decision?

"We have not made one," said Weiss. "We're close, but confused."

Earlier, Weiss indicated a trade could be a possibility to clear space on the roster, but he said today that the team has not had any discussions recently.