The Chicago Bulls have waived guard Jaden Ivey, their former top draft pick acquired in February, citing conduct detrimental to the team. The move follows Ivey's nearly hour-long Instagram video on Monday sharing anti-LGBTQ sentiments and other views tied to his religion. Bulls coach Billy Donovan expressed hope for Ivey's well-being while emphasizing organizational standards.
The Chicago Bulls waived Jaden Ivey on Monday for 'conduct detrimental to the team,' shortly after the guard posted a lengthy Instagram rant. In the video, Ivey called the NBA's Pride Month celebrations 'unrighteous' and made inflammatory comments on abortion. He also described certain music lyrics about drugs and sex as 'wicked,' naming rapper 50 Cent as an example. This came amid several recent social media posts from Ivey focused on his religious beliefs. Ivey had been traded to the Bulls from the Detroit Pistons at the February trade deadline. He appeared in just four games for Chicago before being shut down on March 26 to rehab a left knee injury. After joining the Bulls, Ivey had told reporters that the 'Old Jaden Ivey' was gone since 'Christ was in his life.' Bulls coach Billy Donovan addressed the situation before Monday night's game against the San Antonio Spurs. 'I don't want to get into what he put out there [on Instagram], but certainly for him I hope he's OK,' Donovan said. 'I've had conversations with Jaden, and he's always been about rehabbing his knee and getting back on the court and wanting to play. But I think organizationally there's certain standards we want to have as an organization and try and live up to those each and every day.' Ivey, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, spent his first three-and-a-half seasons with the Pistons. He averaged 15.8 points per game over his initial two seasons, starting alongside Cade Cunningham, but injuries hampered his progress, including a broken left fibula in January 2025.
