Jabari Parker steps forward after Lauri Markkanen’s injury

Start him at small forward or power forward. It’s all the same to Jabari Parker.

“Well, I’ve been doing that my whole career,” Parker said of switching between the two positions. “So it didn’t matter.”

Pegged as the starting small forward when the Bulls signed him as a free agent, Parker now will shift to power forward with Lauri Markkanen sidelined six to eight weeks with a sprained right elbow. Statistically, Parker has fared better at the power forward, even if he tried to downplay the differences.

“I feel like if you know basketball it’s pretty much the same position,” Parker said. “So it’s not going to sway in (any) direction.”

At least offensively in transition, though, coach Fred Hoiberg noted some differences. And Hoiberg said Parker had taken only “five reps” at power forward the whole preseason until Saturday.

“I’ve really been trying to get him to play one position and learn (small forward) because it’s so much different,” Hoiberg said. “You have to get out in front of the ball running the wing. Now he’s got to change his approach as the inbounder and he’ll be trailing the play more. So we’re going to have to keep it very basic (Sunday).”

Parker will start alongside Robin Lopez, Kris Dunn, Justin Holiday and Zach LaVine in the preseason opener against the Pelicans at the United Center.

“We’re running a lot of flow (offense) right now, keeping it very basic,” Hoiberg said. “We’re working a lot on our pace and getting it out quick. (Parker) still needs to get out and run the floor. But the biggest thing is as opposed to getting out, let’s say on a made or missed basket, a lot of times now he’ll be in the trail spot and when we do run a halfcourt set obviously there’s a difference when you’re playing small forward versus power forward. But as far as how we want to play with our pace, that does not change.”

Hoiberg said he prefers keeping Bobby Portis in his role of providing energy and scoring off the bench.

Man in middle

Wendell Carter Jr. returned to practice after missing Friday with a sore left shoulder he hurt on a fall during Thursday’s practice. Unsurprisingly, Hoiberg said Robin Lopez will start at center Sunday.

Hoiberg wouldn’t reveal how many minutes the starters will play, but it’s an abbreviated preseason with the regular-season opener coming Oct. 18.

“One thing in the past, we’ve had eight games to get those guys going and kind of ease into it,” Hoiberg said. “Now, with only five games, it might change how we approach it.”

Local flavor

Typically, the Bulls like to play up their hometown ties with stars. Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade were introduced “From Chicago …” by longtime public address announcer Tommy Edwards during lineup introductions, rather than their respective colleges of Memphis and Marquette.

Parker said he hasn’t been asked if he’d like to be introduced from Chicago or Duke and won’t offer a preference if he’s asked.

“Whenever it happens, they’ll surprise me,” Parker said. “It doesn’t matter, honestly. I’ll get both at times. I just want to get my (starting) opportunity. That’s all.”

kcjohnson@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @kcjhoop