News

Bulls Waive Guard Jaden Ivey After Making Anti-LGBTQ Comments, Coach Worries About His Mental Health

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 11: Jaden Ivey #23 of the Detroit Pistons reacts after scoring against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the preseason game at Footprint Center on October 11, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kelsey Grant/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bulls have decided to move on from Jaden Ivey due to his recent behavior and comments on his Instagram lives.

The guard has been posting lengthy videos about religion, and most notably made anti-LGBTQ comments during his videos.

“They proclaim Pride Month and the NBA. They proclaim it. They show it to the world. They say, ‘Come join us for Pride Month to celebrate unrighteousness.’ They proclaim it.”

“They proclaim it on the billboards. They proclaim it in the streets. Unrighteousness,” Ivey said, referring to the LGBTQ+ community.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Ivey, 24, went back to his Instagram following his release and shared his thoughts.

“How is my conduct detrimental to the team? Because of what I believe? Because of what the truth is?”

Bulls head coach Billy Donovan spoke to the media about Ivey and the importance of mental health.

“I think in this day and age, you have to be conscious of all these guys may be going through things.”

“And I’m not passing judgment on what Jaden is or is not going through,” Donovan continued. “But I do worry about that, not only for Jaden, but for all of our players. Are we providing the resources, which I think we do, to help them in any way we can? I think if any player reached out and said I need some help in this, we could help them.”

Ivey was drafted in the 2022 NBA Draft with the 5th overall pick by the Detroit Pistons before being dealt to the Bulls at this year’s trade deadline.