Chicago Bulls release Jaden Ivey after he calls NBA Pride Month ‘unrighteous'

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: The Chicago Bulls waived guard Jaden Ivey following controversial social media videos in which he criticized the NBA’s celebration of Pride Month. The decision was announced on Monday, March 31, with the team citing conduct detrimental to the organization.

Ivey joined the Bulls as part of a three-team trade involving the Detroit Pistons and the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was originally selected fifth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Pistons and quickly made an impact, earning NBA All-Rookie Team honors in the 2022–23 season.

Jaden Ivey sparks controversy over NBA Pride Month remarks

The move came after Ivey posted a video in which he said, “The world can proclaim LGBTQ, right? They proclaim Pride Month and the NBA. They proclaim it. They show it to the world. They say, come join us for Pride, for Pride Month, to celebrate unrighteousness. They proclaim it. They proclaim it on the billboards.”

He further emphasized, “They proclaim it in the streets. Unrighteousness. So how is it that one can't speak righteousness? Who are they to say that this man is crazy?” Ivey had been posting similar videos in recent weeks, often discussing religion and broader societal issues.

His remarks also extended to Catholicism, which he described as a “false religion” in another video. This comment drew additional attention due to his mother, Niele Ivey, serving as the head women’s basketball coach at Notre Dame, a Catholic university.

Ahead of the team’s game against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan addressed the decision to waive Ivey, citing the organization’s core values and expectations. “Just inside the Bulls, we have people from all different kinds of backgrounds, And whether it’s coaches, from the top, it’s always been we’re all going to work well together, we’re going to accept each other,” Donovan said.

He added, “We’re going to be hard working, we’re going to be respectful and we’re going to be professional. There’s certain standards I think we want to have as an organization and live up to those each and every day.”

Jaden Ivey denies allegations and speaks on release and personal struggles

Jaden Ivey took to social media on Monday night to dispute the Chicago Bulls’ characterization of his release. “They’re liars, bro,” Ivey said on IG Live, according to The Athletic’s Joel Lorenzi. “This is lying. They’re lying saying my conduct is detrimental to the team. That’s a lie. Ask any one of them coaches in there, ‘Was I a good teammate?’”

He further stated, “All I’m preaching about is Jesus Christ and they waived me. But they say I’m crazy, right? I’m psycho.” The Bulls moved on from Ivey after acquiring him in February, along with Mike Conley, in a three-team trade that sent Kevin Huerter, center Dario Saric, and a future first-round pick swap to the Detroit Pistons in a deal that provided salary-cap relief to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Both Ivey and Conley are now no longer with the Bulls, as the team bought out Conley’s contract shortly after the trade.

Before his comments, Ivey struggled to find his place on the Bulls. He played in four games, made three starts, and had already been ruled out for the season with a knee injury on Thursday. After what Ivey reportedly believed was his first career DNP, he told Lorenzi he was no longer the player he used to be after his knee injuries.

He claimed, “I’m sure people can call it out — I’m not the same player I used to be. The knee soreness is why. I’m not the J.I. I used to be. The old J.I. is dead. I’m alive in Christ no matter what the basketball setting is.” Ivey has also previously acknowledged dealing with depression.