Chicago Bulls Cut Jaden Ivey After Anti-LGBTQ+ & Religious Rants

CHICAGO – The Chicago Bulls waived guard Jaden Ivey on Monday, citing “conduct detrimental to the team,” just hours after the 24-year-old posted a lengthy video on social media expressing controversial views on religion and criticizing the NBA’s celebration of Pride Month. The move brings a swift finish to Ivey’s brief tenure in Chicago, acquired via trade from the Detroit Pistons in February.

Ivey, currently sidelined with an injury and having not played for the Bulls since being shut down for the season last Thursday, had been increasingly active on Instagram Live in recent days. During these broadcasts, he voiced strong objections to the NBA’s support of LGBTQ+ rights, referring to the league’s Pride Month initiatives as a celebration of “unrighteousness.”

“The world proclaims LGBTQ, right?” Ivey said during one of the streams, as reported by ESPN. “They proclaim Pride Month and the NBA does, too. They reveal it to the world. They say, ‘Come join us for Pride Month to celebrate unrighteousness.’ They proclaim it on the billboards. They proclaim it on the streets. Unrighteousness.”

The Bulls’ decision to waive Ivey prompted a response from the player himself, again via Instagram Live. “Why did they release me?” Ivey questioned. “Why didn’t they just say, ‘We don’t agree with his stance on LGBTQ’? What did I do to the team? What did I do to the players?”

This incident marks the latest chapter in a turbulent period for Ivey, who was the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft. Prior to the controversy, Ivey had reportedly been struggling to discover a consistent role within the Bulls’ rotation, expressing frustration with his limited playing time. According to NBA Passion, Ivey had previously stated, “The old Jaden doesn’t exist anymore, he’s dead,” in response to his limited minutes under coach Billy Donovan.

Beyond his basketball struggles, Ivey’s recent social media activity has been characterized by increasingly frequent and lengthy posts centered around his religious beliefs. These posts, often described as apocalyptic in tone, included references to Jesus, the day of judgment, and criticisms of other NBA players, questioning their faith. He reportedly claimed that players like Steph Curry were not “true Christians” and that their accomplishments would not offer salvation.

Bulls coach Billy Donovan addressed the situation following the team’s decision, stating, “Here, we have a certain standard of behavior. We all have our personal experiences, but professionalism and respect for others – from players to coaches to management – are required. We hoped Ivey could be a long-term project here, but obviously, it didn’t function out.”

Ivey’s journey to this point has been marked by both promise, and adversity. Drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 2022, he showed flashes of potential as a dynamic scoring guard. However, two serious injuries in the past two seasons hampered his development, limiting him to 30 games in the 2024-25 season and keeping him out for the first 15 games of the current season. Detroit traded him to Chicago in February, hoping a change of scenery would revitalize his career. He appeared in only four games for the Bulls before being sidelined again due to injury.

In his final social media post before being waived, Ivey expressed a sense of resignation, stating, “Now I know they’re going to cancel me from history, they don’t want someone like me… but God is great.”

As a restricted free agent at the end of the season, Ivey’s future in the NBA is now uncertain. The league has increasingly emphasized inclusivity and social responsibility, and his recent comments and actions are likely to raise concerns for potential suitors. The incident underscores the growing intersection of athletes’ personal beliefs and their professional lives, and the potential consequences when those beliefs clash with league values.

The Bulls’ decision to waive Ivey sends a clear message about the team’s expectations for player conduct. Although athletes are afforded a degree of personal freedom, the team clearly deemed Ivey’s public statements unacceptable and detrimental to the organization’s image and values. This situation highlights the delicate balance teams must strike between respecting individual expression and upholding team standards.

The NBA has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the incident, but the league has previously demonstrated a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion. The situation with Ivey is likely to spark further discussion about the role of athletes as public figures and the boundaries of acceptable speech.

What’s Next: The Chicago Bulls will continue their season without Ivey, focusing on their playoff push. The team currently holds a precarious position in the Eastern Conference standings and will demand strong performances from their remaining players to secure a postseason berth. Ivey’s immediate future remains unclear, and it is uncertain whether another NBA team will be willing to take a chance on the talented but controversial guard.

Archysport will continue to provide updates on this developing story.