The Chicago Bulls have waived guard Jaden Ivey, citing "conduct detrimental to the team," following a series of controversial social media videos that sparked national attention and debate.
According to multiple reports, the decision came shortly after Ivey posted lengthy Instagram livestreams in which he spoke about religion and criticized the NBA's promotion of LGBTQ-related initiatives, including Pride Month.
In one widely circulated video, Ivey described such celebrations as "unrighteousness," remarks that were viewed by the organization as inconsistent with the league's emphasis on inclusion and respect.
The Bulls confirmed the move in a brief statement, though they did not publicly detail the specific comments. Team leadership has emphasized professionalism and accountability within a diverse locker room as key expectations for players.
The 24-year-old guard had only recently joined Chicago after being traded from the Detroit Pistons in February as part of a multi-team deal. His stint with the Bulls was short-lived, appearing in just a handful of games before being ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury.
Reports indicate that concerns about Ivey's recent behavior had been building in the days leading up to his release, with the social media posts described as the "final straw" for the organization.
Following his release, Ivey has publicly suggested that his dismissal was connected to his religious beliefs, maintaining that he was expressing his faith.
The situation has sparked widespread discussion across sports and media circles, with some commentators framing the move as a matter of team culture and inclusion, while others have raised questions about freedom of expression and consistency in how leagues handle player speech.
Despite the controversy, Ivey is expected to receive his full salary for the season and will enter free agency as he looks for his next opportunity in the NBA.
The NBA has not issued an official league-wide statement regarding the incident.
