Bulls Waive Rookie Jaden Ivey After Controversial Remarks

The team parts ways with the 5th overall pick after recent anti-LGBTQ comments.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:48pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball court and players, conveying the complex issues surrounding the Bulls' decision to waive Jaden Ivey.The Bulls' decision to part ways with Jaden Ivey reflects the growing pressure on sports teams to distance themselves from players who express intolerant views.Chicago Today

The Chicago Bulls have reportedly waived shooting guard Jaden Ivey, the 5th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, after he made controversial anti-LGBTQ comments and religious rants. Ivey was acquired by the Bulls in a February trade but is now no longer with the team.

Why it matters

Ivey's reported comments have drawn significant backlash, and the Bulls' decision to waive him highlights the increasing pressure on professional sports teams to distance themselves from players who express intolerant views.

The details

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Bulls decided to waive Ivey after his recent controversial statements. The team acquired Ivey in a February trade that sent Kevin Huerter and Dario Šarić to the Detroit Pistons, but he never played a game for Chicago.

  • Ivey was the 5th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
  • The Bulls acquired Ivey in a trade in February 2026.
  • Ivey was waived by the Bulls on March 30, 2026.

The players

Jaden Ivey

A shooting guard who was the 5th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, recently waived by the Chicago Bulls after making controversial anti-LGBTQ comments.

Chicago Bulls

The NBA team that drafted Ivey and then waived him after his recent controversial remarks.

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The takeaway

The Bulls' decision to waive Ivey highlights the growing intolerance in professional sports for players who express controversial views, especially those that are seen as discriminatory or intolerant.