Jaden Ivey's surprise benching adds to confusion on Bulls' direction

Chicago found its roster crammed with guards after the trade deadline. On Thursday, Ivey was the odd man out.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Jaden Ivey, a 24-year-old guard for the Chicago Bulls, was surprisingly benched for Thursday's game against the Toronto Raptors, despite being one of the younger players on the team. The Bulls' roster is now crowded with guards after a series of trade deadline moves, leaving Ivey as the "odd man out" when the team returned to relative health. Bulls interim coach Wes Unseld Jr. cited the difficulty of dealing with the backcourt depth as the reason for Ivey's healthy scratch, a decision that seemed at odds with the team's alleged pivot toward developing younger players.

Why it matters

Ivey's surprise benching raises questions about the Bulls' direction and their commitment to developing their younger players, particularly with the team's roster now heavily skewed toward guards. As a restricted free agent, Ivey's future with the team is also uncertain, adding to the confusion surrounding the team's plans.

The details

Ivey, who turned 24 this month, was left out of the rotation despite starting several games before the recent returns of Josh Giddey and Tre Jones from injury. Interim coach Wes Unseld Jr. cited the difficulty of dealing with the team's backcourt depth as the reason for Ivey's healthy scratch, a decision that seemed at odds with the team's alleged pivot toward developing younger players. Ivey, who has dealt with knee soreness for years, acknowledged that he is not the same explosive player he once was, suggesting his recovery from past injuries has impacted his game.

  • On Thursday, Ivey did not play in the Bulls' 110-101 loss to the Toronto Raptors.
  • Ivey had surgery on his right knee in October and suffered a season-ending broken left leg in January 2025.

The players

Jaden Ivey

A 24-year-old guard for the Chicago Bulls who was surprisingly benched for Thursday's game against the Toronto Raptors.

Wes Unseld Jr.

The interim head coach of the Chicago Bulls, who cited the team's backcourt depth as the reason for Ivey's healthy scratch.

Billy Donovan

The head coach of the Chicago Bulls, who was absent from Thursday's game due to the recent death of his father.

Arturas Karnisovas

The vice president of basketball operations for the Chicago Bulls, who made a series of trade deadline moves that left the team's roster heavily skewed toward guards.

Josh Giddey

A guard for the Chicago Bulls who returned from injury, contributing to Ivey's reduced playing time.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think it changes my character. Win, lose or draw. I'm here to do my job, glorify God.”

— Jaden Ivey (New York Times)

“I don't really trust the NBA setting. I trust the Lord.”

— Jaden Ivey (New York Times)

“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.”

— Jaden Ivey (New York Times)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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