The Chicago Bulls made a swift and decisive move on Monday, March 30, 2026, announcing the release of shooting guard Jaden Ivey following a series of anti-LGBTQ comments the player made on social media earlier that same day. The team stated that Ivey was waived due to conduct detrimental to the team.
The decision came just hours after the 24-year-old posted a 42-minute video to his Instagram account in which he spoke out against the NBA’s support of Pride Month, describing the league’s celebrations as a proclamation of unrighteousness. Roughly two hours after the Bulls made their announcement public, Ivey took to Instagram Live to respond to the team’s decision, questioning how his personal beliefs could be considered harmful to the organization.
What Ivey said in the video
In the lengthy Instagram video, Ivey addressed his audience while appearing to look down at his phone camera. His social media bio openly references his Christian faith, and much of the video reflected those beliefs as he directed his comments toward the NBA’s annual Pride Month recognition.
Ivey took issue with what he described as the league’s public and visible promotion of LGBTQ inclusion, referencing billboards and street-level displays tied to Pride Month celebrations. He framed his opposition in religious terms, suggesting that speaking out against what he views as unrighteousness should be treated the same way the league treats its own public messaging.
After the Bulls released him, Ivey pushed back publicly, expressing disbelief that his personal convictions could serve as grounds for his dismissal from the team.
The coach’s response and mental health concerns
Bulls head coach Billy Donovan, 60, addressed the media at a press conference on Monday, stopping short of directly commenting on Ivey’s statements but instead turning attention to the broader topic of player mental health. Donovan expressed concern for all players on the roster, emphasizing the importance of making mental health resources available and accessible to anyone who may be struggling.
His response was notably measured, focusing on the team’s responsibility to support its players rather than issuing any direct criticism of Ivey or his comments.
Ivey’s brief and complicated time in Chicago
Jaden Ivey’s tenure with the Chicago Bulls was short and marked by difficulty both on and off the court. He was originally selected by the Detroit Pistons with the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, making him one of the more highly regarded young players of his draft class.
He was traded to the Bulls on February 3, 2026, but his time with the team proved limited. Ivey appeared in only four games before his season was cut short on March 26 due to a knee injury, meaning he never had a real opportunity to establish himself with his new team before the controversy unfolded.
His release marks a significant and sobering turn in what had been a promising young career, raising questions about what comes next for the 24-year-old both professionally and personally.
Representatives for Ivey had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, available 24/7.
Source: People.com
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