Chicago Bulls Waive Jaden Ivey Following Public Statements on Social Media

The Chicago Bulls have waived guard Jaden Ivey, citing "conduct detrimental to the team." The decision followed a series of Instagram livestreams where Ivey discussed his religious beliefs, made critical comments regarding the NBA's promotion of Pride nights, and offered criticisms of Catholicism. Ivey, who was in the final year of his contract, was acquired by the Bulls in February and had played only four games before being sidelined due to a knee injury.

Bulls Announce Waiver, Citing "Conduct Detrimental"

The Chicago Bulls announced Ivey's waiving on Monday, hours after his final Instagram livestream. The team stated the reason for the termination was "conduct detrimental to the team."

Bulls Coach Billy Donovan addressed the media, emphasizing the organization's expectations for professionalism and mutual respect among its diverse personnel. Donovan stated the team's commitment to a specific standard of conduct, explaining that players and staff are responsible for upholding values that represent the entire franchise. He also expressed concern for Ivey's overall well-being.

Bulls Coach Billy Donovan emphasized the organization's expectations for professionalism and mutual respect, stating that players and staff are responsible for upholding values that represent the entire franchise.

Ivey's Criticisms and Religious Discussions

Over the preceding week, Jaden Ivey participated in multiple Instagram livestreams, engaging in discussions about his religious views. These livestreams occurred on March 26, 28, and 30.

During his final session on Monday afternoon, Ivey vocalized criticism of the NBA's promotion of Pride nights.

"They say come join us for Pride Month to celebrate unrighteousness. They proclaim it... Unrighteousness. So how it is that one can’t speak righteousness?"

In a previous livestream on March 28, which lasted over an hour, Ivey engaged with followers, using Bible verses in discussions. He criticized Catholicism as a "false religion" and stated in one stream that "God does not hear your Prayer if you are a sinner."

Ivey Disputes Bulls' Reasoning Post-Waiver

Following his release, Ivey used Instagram again on Monday evening to dispute the Bulls' stated reason for his termination. He questioned why the team did not explicitly cite his stance on the LGBT community.

"Why didn’t they just say we don’t agree with his stance on LGBTQ. Why didn’t they say that?"

Ivey asserted that he was "preaching about Jesus Christ" and called the team's reason a "lie." He also claimed he "didn’t get myself waived" and expressed a belief that other teams might not sign him because they would consider him "too religious."

During a subsequent Instagram Live session, Ivey discussed religion further, stating that championship rings "are not gonna matter on judgment day." He continued the session on an airplane until a flight attendant requested he end it.

Player History and Contract Details

The Chicago Bulls acquired Ivey from the Detroit Pistons on February 3 in a three-team trade. He had played in four games for the Bulls, logging 115 minutes, and averaged 8.5 points in 37 games this season overall.

Ivey was sidelined by the Bulls last week for the remainder of the season due to a sore left knee, an injury he sustained on February 11. He had previously sustained a severe leg injury in January 2025.

Ivey, 24, was the No. 5 pick in the 2022 NBA draft and was in the final year of a four-year rookie contract, set to receive his full $10.1 million salary for the current season. If he clears waivers, Ivey will become an unrestricted free agent.

Context of Religious Expression and Other Factors

Ivey's outspokenness regarding his faith had been noted by former team staff and media members in Detroit. His increased focus on evangelism became publicly notable after his baptism in June 2024 and deepened following his fibula injury in January 2025. He had reportedly begun incorporating religious topics into discussions, including explanations of his knee pain, and engaging staff and teammates on religious topics.

Coach Donovan had previously considered Ivey's expressiveness about his faith as a "personal thing" and not a concern during his initial time in Chicago. Ivey has also previously spoken about dealing with depression this season, and Coach Donovan acknowledged mental health as a "real issue," expressing concern for all players, including Ivey.

The trade for Ivey, and the intention for him to be a long-term presence with the Bulls, has reportedly prompted questions regarding front office decisions, specifically concerning executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas. Karnišovas did not issue a public statement regarding the Ivey situation.