Chicago Bulls waive Jaden Ivey over controversial Instagram posts

The team cited conduct detrimental to the team as the reason for the player's release.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:25am

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A fragmented, cubist-style illustration depicting the silhouette of a basketball player broken down into sharp, angular planes of navy, red, and gold, conveying a sense of disruption and discipline.The sudden dismissal of a rising young player highlights the challenges teams face in managing player conduct and social media activity.Chicago Today

The Chicago Bulls have waived second-year guard Jaden Ivey following a series of controversial social media posts on his personal Instagram account. The team cited Ivey's conduct as detrimental to the organization, though the specific nature of the posts has not been publicly disclosed.

Why it matters

Ivey was a high draft pick for the Bulls just last season, so his sudden release raises questions about the team's internal culture and discipline policies. The incident also highlights the growing challenges professional sports teams face in managing players' off-court behavior and social media activity.

The details

According to the team's statement, Ivey was let go after a review of his recent Instagram posts, which the Bulls deemed to be unacceptable and not in line with the organization's values. The team did not provide further details on the specific content or nature of the posts that led to Ivey's dismissal.

  • Ivey was waived by the Chicago Bulls on March 30, 2026.

The players

Jaden Ivey

A second-year guard who was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Chicago Bulls

The professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois that plays in the NBA.

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What they’re saying

“We hold our players to a high standard of conduct, both on and off the court. After reviewing Jaden's recent social media activity, we determined that his actions were detrimental to the team and made the decision to part ways.”

— Arturas Karnisovas, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, Chicago Bulls

What’s next

The Bulls will now look to fill Ivey's roster spot and continue their push for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the increasing importance for professional sports teams to closely monitor and enforce player conduct, especially in the age of social media where off-court behavior can quickly become a public issue that impacts the entire organization.