Bulls waive Jaden Ivey after homophobic rant on social media

The Chicago Bulls acquired Jaden Ivey at the trade deadline from the Detroit Pistons in an attempt to cash in on the potential he once showed as a former top-five pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Ivey only played four games with the Bulls before being shut down with knee soreness, which had been bothering him since the start of the season. Ivey was slated to become a restricted free agent this summer, but he’s no longer in the Bulls’ plans after some strange rants on social media over the weekend.

The Bulls waived Ivey on Monday after he made homophobic comments on social media during a speech about his religion views, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania.

Ivey went on Instagram live and discussed his Christian faith as it relates to topics like gay rights and abortion.

“They proclaim Pride Month in the NBA,” Ivey said in the video. They say come join us for Pride Month to celebrate unrighteousness. They proclaim it”

Ivey also made these comments about how two women can’t have a baby.

Ivey said he was struggling with drinking and pornography addiction before finding Jesus.

Ivey was also responding to fans on Instagram comments. When asked if he goes to confession, Ivey called Catholicism a “false religion” and said it “does not lead to salvation in Jesus Christ.”

Ivey drew headlines earlier this season when he said “the old JI is dead.” Here’s the full quote:

“I’ve been dealing with knee soreness in my knee,” Ivey said. “I’m sure people can call it out that I’m not the same player I used to be. That’s why. I’m not the J.I. I used to be. But the old J.I. is dead. I’m alive in Christ no matter what the basketball setting is.”

Ivey suffered a horrific leg injury when he broke his fibula during a terrifying play on New Years Day 2025. He was out through Nov. of that year, and then experienced knee soreness when he tried to come back, which ultimately ended his short run with the Bulls.

When Detroit fans commented on Ivey’s social media videos, he said “the Pistons aren’t going to matter on judgement day.”

Ivey had a $30 million cap hold this summer if the Bulls would have extended him the qualifying offer as a restricted free agent. Essentially, the Bulls would not have been able to access their cap space unless they came to a quick free agent agreement with Ivey. That’s not a problem anymore with the team deciding to move on.

Ivey had a reputation as a “preacher” in the locker room before he got to the Bulls, and there were rumblings he liked to talk to teammates about their faith. Chicago Sun-Times reporter Joe Cowley first reported that the Bulls planned to move on from the guard.

Read our old scouting report on Ivey ahead of the 2022 NBA Draft. His explosiveness was taken away by the ugly leg injury. Maybe the 24-year-old can get his career back on track if he gets healthy. It just won’t be with the Bulls.

Update: Ivey went live on Instagram after his release and pushed back against the Bulls saying his conduct was detrimental to the team.

Ivey continued to question Stephen Curry’s Christianity while he was on board a plane:

Here’s one more video from Ivey after his release talking about his issues with alcohol and pornography:

Hopefully Ivey finds the peace he needs, and a new home to continue playing basketball.

Update 3/31: Ivey has continued his social media preachings after his release.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Ivey was asking people in the Bulls’ locker room if they had sex before marriage. The Sun-Times also reported his teammates weren’t too sad to see him go.

His interviews became sermons in which he was asking reporters if they’ve been “saved” and if they “fornicated before marriage.”

Not one Bulls player was shedding a tear for Ivey’s removal from the roster.