Did The Bulls Really Cut Jaden Ivey? Inside the Social-Media Firestorm

Jaden Ivey lasted four games with the Bulls. Four. By Monday, March 30, Chicago cut him loose for what the team called 'conduct detrimental to the team.' And yes, the timing lines up with him hopping on Instagram to blast the NBA for celebrating Pride Month and to go after other religions. It got messy fast, and then it got messier.

Quick version

• Monday, March 30: The Bulls waive 24-year-old guard Jaden Ivey after just four games, citing 'conduct detrimental to the team' in a social post.
• Hours earlier: Ivey goes live on Instagram and rails against the NBA promoting Pride Month, calling it 'unrighteousness.'
• In the days before: He posted two other live videos arguing with followers and labeling several as sinners for their beliefs and lifestyles, per the Chicago Tribune.
• Also online: In a separate Instagram comment, he wrote that 'Catholicism is a false religion' and does not lead to salvation in Jesus Christ.
• Pre-game Monday: Head coach Billy Donovan confirms the move before Chicago’s 129-114 loss to the Spurs and talks about team standards and player support.
• Later Monday: Ivey jumps back on Instagram, calls the Bulls liars, says he was rehabbing and doing his job, and insists he was a good teammate.

How it escalated

The Bulls did not spell out exactly what they meant by 'conduct detrimental,' but the decision landed right after Ivey’s Monday morning live stream. On that stream, he criticized the league for Pride Month promotions and framed it as the NBA endorsing something he called unrighteous.

'The world can proclaim LGBTQ, right? They proclaim Pride Month. And the NBA, they proclaim it... Come join us for Pride Month, to celebrate unrighteousness.'

This was not a one-off. According to the Tribune, Ivey had already gone live twice in the days leading up to Monday, arguing with viewers and condemning people’s beliefs and lifestyles. And in a written Instagram comment, he added: 'Catholicism is a false religion. And is not the true Doctrine of Christ. [It] does not lead to salvation in Jesus Christ.'

The Bulls stay vague, Donovan sets the tone

Chicago’s statement stayed broad, but head coach Billy Donovan addressed it before tip-off against San Antonio. He pointed to the standards the team expects in the building and in the locker room, stressing professionalism and respect among people 'from all different walks of life.' He also hit the accountability note pretty hard.

'There’s a certain level of standards and expectations that are here... We’ve got to all be professional. There’s got to be a high level of respect for one another, and we’ve got to help each other and be accountable to those standards.'

Donovan, 60, also brought up mental health and player support resources, saying the staff tries to be mindful of what players might be going through and that help is available if anyone asks. He specifically avoided weighing in on what Ivey is or is not dealing with, but made it clear the infrastructure is there.

Ivey fires back

After the waiver news, Ivey went live again and accused the team of lying about why he was cut. He framed his posts as preaching about his faith and said he was doing his job when the ax fell.

'They’re lying saying my conduct is detrimental to the team... All I’m preaching about is Jesus Christ and they waived me. They say I’m crazy, right? I’m psycho.'

He added that he was in the gym rehabbing earlier that day and doing what was required by the team.

Where this leaves things

Four games in and it’s over. The Bulls moved quickly, kept their public reasoning broad, and let Donovan underline the team’s expectations and support systems. Ivey clearly disagrees with both the decision and the framing. What happens next for him is anyone’s guess.