Stacey King Defends Bulls Front Office Over Jaden Ivey Saga

Former Bulls player-turned-analyst says team couldn't have known about Ivey's issues before acquiring him.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:04pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball game, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the multifaceted nature of the Jaden Ivey situation.The Jaden Ivey saga exposes the complexities and risks involved in acquiring troubled players, challenging teams to balance talent and character.Chicago Today

Stacey King, a former Chicago Bulls player and current TV analyst, has come to the defense of the team's front office over the Jaden Ivey saga. Ivey, who was traded to the Bulls from the Detroit Pistons in February, was later waived by the organization after making controversial anti-LGBTQ+ remarks on social media and displaying concerning behavior. King argues that the Bulls couldn't have known about Ivey's issues before acquiring him, and that the Pistons would have addressed any problems beforehand if they were aware of them.

Why it matters

The Jaden Ivey situation has sparked criticism of the Bulls' front office for acquiring him in the first place. King's defense of the team's decision-making provides an alternative perspective and suggests that the front office may not have been fully aware of Ivey's off-court issues prior to the trade.

The details

Ivey played just four games with the Bulls, averaging 11.5 points per game, before the team announced his season was over due to a prolonged knee injury. Details have since emerged about Ivey's concerning behavior, including him allegedly questioning reporters about their faith and marriages. King argues that if Ivey had been a problem in Detroit, the Pistons would have addressed it before trading him to the Bulls.

  • In February 2026, the Chicago Bulls traded for Jaden Ivey from the Detroit Pistons.
  • In April 2026, the Bulls waived Jaden Ivey after he made anti-LGBTQ+ remarks on social media and displayed concerning behavior.

The players

Stacey King

A former Chicago Bulls player who is now a TV analyst for the team.

Jaden Ivey

A former NBA player who was traded from the Detroit Pistons to the Chicago Bulls in February 2026, before being waived by the Bulls due to his controversial behavior.

AK

The Chicago Bulls' front office executive who was involved in the decision to acquire Jaden Ivey.

Mark Eversley

The Chicago Bulls' front office executive who was involved in the decision to acquire Jaden Ivey.

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What they’re saying

“Detroit would have known any kind of issue with this kid before the Bulls would have....You find out about it when he gets in your building. Your like wait a minute... This is not the guy we thought we were getting.”

— Stacey King, TV Analyst, Chicago Bulls

What’s next

The Bulls will likely face continued scrutiny over their decision to acquire Jaden Ivey, and Ivey's future in the NBA remains uncertain as he deals with the fallout from his controversial behavior.

The takeaway

Stacey King's defense of the Bulls' front office suggests that the team may not have been fully aware of Jaden Ivey's off-court issues prior to acquiring him, and that the Pistons should have addressed any problems before trading him away. This provides an alternative perspective to the criticism the Bulls have faced over the Ivey saga.