Jaden Ivey’s NBA career might be over—and not because of his knee. The Chicago Bulls waived him Monday, just hours after he posted a rambling anti-LGBTQ video on Instagram that left teammates and coaches stunned.
The Videos That Ended a Tenure
It started Monday morning. Ivey went live on Instagram and immediately targeted the NBA’s Pride Month celebrations. “The world proclaims LGBTQ, right?” he said. “They proclaim Pride Month and the NBA does, too. They show 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 videos kept coming. Over the previous week, Ivey had posted at least three lengthy streams touching on religion, depression, music lyrics, and abortion. Team sources described him as “preachy” around the locker room. His intensity had been ramping up for months.
From Detroit to Chicago to the Waiver Wire
Ivey’s religious outspokenness wasn’t new—he’d discussed it openly in Detroit. But the volume and frequency escalated after a February trade sent him to Chicago. Then the Bulls shut him down for the season due to a knee injury. That’s when his Instagram sessions became almost daily events.
Monday evening, after learning of his release, Ivey posted another video questioning the team’s decision. “They said my conduct is detrimental to the team. Why didn’t they just say, ‘We don’t agree with his stance on LGBTQ’? Why didn’t they say that?” He also told reporters earlier that “the old J.I. is dead” and he’s “alive in Christ no matter what.”
Team Response and League Implications
Bulls coach Billy Donovan addressed the media before Monday night’s game in San Antonio. His tone was measured but firm. “Everybody comes with their own personal experiences, but one is we’ve got to all be professional. I think there’s got to be a high level of respect for one another.”
Donovan noted the organization employs people from “all different walks of life” and that Ivey’s comments don’t reflect Chicago’s values. He declined to discuss specifics but said he hoped Ivey would get help.
The Broader Conversation
The incident reignites debates about where professional sports draw the line on player expression. Athletes have always had personal beliefs—now social media lets them broadcast those beliefs to millions in real time. Teams must balance player autonomy against organizational brand and locker room chemistry.
Ivey averaged 8.5 points this season across 37 games, including just four with the Bulls after the February trade. With his contract expiring, Chicago decided his conduct wasn’t worth the distraction.
What’s Next for Ivey
At 23 years old, Ivey’s basketball future is unclear. Will another team take a chance on him? It depends on whether front offices view this as a temporary spiral or a character issue. His talent is undeniable. His judgment? That’s the question now.
Source: ESPN – Bulls waive guard Jaden Ivey after anti-gay comments
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