Bulls Waive Guard Jaden Ivey After Controversial Social Media Posts

NBA fans react to the Chicago Bulls' decision to release Ivey due to his recent inflammatory social media comments.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:39am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented and deconstructed basketball game, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape representing the multifaceted nature of the Jaden Ivey controversy.The complex and fragmented nature of the Jaden Ivey situation reflects the delicate balance between an athlete's free speech and a team's public image.Chicago Today

The Chicago Bulls have announced the waiver of guard Jaden Ivey following his recent controversial social media posts that the team deemed "detrimental to the team." Ivey, who was acquired by the Bulls at the trade deadline, had been sidelined with a knee injury before his release. NBA fans have been reacting to the news, with some expressing concern for Ivey's well-being and others criticizing the Bulls' front office.

Why it matters

Ivey's release highlights the delicate balance between an athlete's right to free speech and a team's need to maintain a positive public image. The Bulls' decision could have significant implications for Ivey's NBA career, as his actions may be seen as detrimental to his future prospects in the league.

The details

Ivey's recent Instagram videos touched on religion and LGBTQ+ issues in a strong manner, leading the Bulls to call his conduct "detrimental to the team" and ultimately waive him. The team acquired Ivey at the trade deadline from the Detroit Pistons, where he had been averaging 11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 4 assists per game. Prior to his release, Ivey had also been sidelined due to a knee injury.

  • Ivey was waived by the Bulls on March 31, 2026.
  • Ivey had been dealing with a knee injury before his release.

The players

Jaden Ivey

A former Purdue standout who was the 5th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. Ivey was recently acquired by the Chicago Bulls at the trade deadline but was released due to his controversial social media posts.

Arturas Karnisovas

The Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Chicago Bulls, who made the decision to waive Jaden Ivey.

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What’s next

Ivey's actions could have a significant impact on his future NBA career, as his controversial social media posts may be seen as detrimental to his prospects with other teams.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the complex challenges that professional sports teams face in balancing an athlete's right to free speech with the need to maintain a positive public image. The Bulls' decision to waive Ivey raises questions about the boundaries of acceptable behavior for NBA players and the consequences they may face for crossing those lines.