Bulls Waive Jaden Ivey After Anti-LGBTQ Rant

The Chicago Bulls terminated guard Jaden Ivey’s contract on Monday, labeling his conduct “detrimental to the team.” The decision followed two hour-long Instagram livestreams in which Ivey denounced the NBA’s Pride Month promotion and expressed anti-gay sentiments. Ivey, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, was acquired from the Detroit Pistons at the trade deadline last month. A sore left knee limited him to four games for Chicago, and the team announced a season-long shut-down on February 19.

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The Bulls issued a brief statement that Ivey’s actions “were detrimental to the team.” Head coach Billy Donovan emphasized the organization’s “expectations and standards,” stressing professionalism, mutual respect, and accountability among players and staff. Donovan also noted that the team initially expected Ivey to contribute to its long-term plans after the trade.

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Multiple insiders described Ivey as “preachy” in the locker room, saying his frequent, hour-long rants created tension among teammates and staff. The anti-LGBTQ content of his livestreams was highlighted as a source of discomfort, prompting internal discussions that culminated in the waiver.

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• “Why didn't they just say, 'We don't agree with his stance on LGBTQ'? Why didn't they say that? ... How is it conduct detrimental to the team? What did I do to the team? What did I do to the players?” — Jaden Ivey, Instagram livestream

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• “I'm alive in Christ no matter what the basketball setting is.” — Jaden Ivey, interview

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The waiver highlights a growing tension between individual expression and league-wide initiatives such as Pride Month. For Chicago, the move removes a player whose public statements conflicted with the organization’s cultural expectations while creating a roster vacancy ahead of the free-agency period. Ivey’s pending free-agent status adds uncertainty for teams weighing talent against potential public-relations challenges.

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The Bulls’ public explanation did not specify which actions met the “detrimental conduct” threshold, and the NBA offered no comment. Ivey’s own questioning of the rationale underscores a lack of transparent criteria for disciplinary action in this case.

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