Full Breakdown
Bulls Waive Guard Jaden Ivey After Anti-Gay Rants
4/28/2026, 4:09:31 AM
Core Event: Waiver Citing Detrimental Conduct
The Chicago Bulls terminated guard Jaden Ivey’s contract on Monday, citing “conduct detrimental to the team.” The decision followed a series of hour-long Instagram livestreams in which Ivey criticized the NBA’s Pride Month promotion and expressed anti-LGBTQ sentiments, among other controversial topics.
Background & Context: Injuries, Trade, and Prior Outspokenness
Ivey, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, began his career with the Detroit Pistons, where he appeared in 30 games before knee problems curtailed his 2024-25 season. The Bulls acquired him from Detroit before the February trade deadline. After the trade, Ivey was shut down for the season due to a sore left knee, limiting him to four games for Chicago, the last on Feb. 11. His public statements on religion and social issues had been noted in Detroit; Chicago staff described his locker-room demeanor as “preachy” after his intensity increased.
Timeline of Key Developments
- Feb. 11, 2024 – Ivey’s final game for the Bulls.
- Feb. 19, 2024 – First healthy scratch in his career against the Toronto Raptors.
- Week before waiver – Bulls announced season-long shutdown for Ivey’s knee injury.
- Monday (date unspecified) – Bulls waive Ivey after his anti-gay livestreams.
Data & Statistics
Official Statements & Responses
Head coach Billy Donovan told reporters that the organization expects “a high level of respect” and professional conduct from all players. He emphasized that while the team initially hoped Ivey could contribute long-term, “there’s a certain level of expectations and standards that are here.” The Bulls’ formal release cited “conduct detrimental to the team” as the reason for the waiver.
Criticism & Opposition
Team staff reportedly grew uneasy with Ivey’s “preachy” approach in the locker room. His livestreams addressed topics ranging from depression and “wicked” music lyrics to anti-Catholicism, abortion, and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, prompting internal concerns about team cohesion and public image.
Verbatim Quotes
- “[The Bulls] said my conduct is detrimental to the team,” — Jaden Ivey, Instagram livestream
- “I'm not the J.I. I used to be. The old J.I. is dead,” — Jaden Ivey, post-game locker-room comments
- “I'm alive in Christ no matter what the basketball setting is.” — Jaden Ivey, post-game locker-room comments
Why It Matters
The incident highlights tensions between individual expression and league-wide inclusion initiatives, such as the NBA’s Pride Month campaign. It also raises questions about how teams balance player conduct, injury management, and cultural expectations when evaluating roster decisions.
What’s Next
Ivey enters free agency without a contract for the upcoming season. The Bulls retain a roster spot and will seek a replacement who aligns with the organization’s stated standards of professionalism and respect.
