The Chicago Bulls waived Jaden Ivey, with multiple reports indicating the team cited 'conduct detrimental to the team' as the reason for his release. This action followed Ivey's public criticism of the NBA for supporting the LGBTQ+ community and Pride Month, which he described as promoting unrighteousness. According to ESPN, Ivey's comments directly led to the team's decision, though the specific remarks that triggered the release have not been detailed by the Bulls. The team has not disclosed how it officially notified Ivey or provided its full statement on the matter.
In a 34-minute response video, Ivey challenged the Bulls' rationale, asking how his conduct could be detrimental when he had not been with the team due to rehabbing a knee injury. He predicted he would go unsigned as an NBA free agent and face cancellation, stating that God is faithful. Ivey also criticized Stephen Curry, questioning his Christianity by saying that rings and achievements will not matter on Judgment Day. He downplayed the NBA's importance in his life, asserting he is prepared to move on without the league.
They said your conduct is detrimental to the team. I haven't been with the team. I haven't been with the team because I've been rehabbing [my knee injury]. So how's my conduct detrimental to the team?
Ivey has been rehabbing a knee injury and has not been with the Bulls recently, according to ESPN. He was traded from the Detroit Pistons to Chicago earlier this year and played only a handful of games before the injury. His release could impact the remaining millions on his contract, though the exact financial implications due to the 'conduct detrimental' designation are unclear. The reaction from the NBA, other players, or LGBTQ+ advocacy groups to Ivey's comments and release has not been widely reported, leaving his immediate plans, including any potential legal or career steps, unknown.
In the video, Ivey shared his personal background, describing himself as a sinner before finding faith, including being a fornicator, pornography addict, and drinker. He reflected that before coming to faith, the NBA was everything to him, and he did not know God or Jesus. His Instagram account, which has over 200,000 followers, is used primarily for religious content, where he posts messages about salvation and redemption.
They gonna cancel me, bro, I'm telling you. They don't want this... God is faithful.
According to ESPN, Ivey recorded the video while boarding an airplane, adding a personal touch to his response. The specifics of his release, including the exact anti-LGBTQ+ comments that led to it and the Bulls' notification process, remain undisclosed. Ivey's future in basketball is uncertain, with no immediate plans announced following his waiver.
And y'all believe he's a Christian? This stuff is not gonna matter on Judgment Day, all them rings he got, all them rings LeBron got, all the rings Michael Jordan got.
Before I came to the Lord Jesus Christ, the NBA was everything to me. I didn't know God. I didn't know Jesus. When I came to the NBA, I was a fornicator, I was a pornography addict, and I used to get drunk. That's all I knew. And after a win, I felt good.
Paul killed Christians. The people he killed, they're dead, but God saved him, so why can't he saved you from your sin?
The world can proclaim LGBTQ, right? They proclaim Pride Month. And the NBA, they proclaim it. They show it to the world. They say, 'Come join us for Pride Month, to celebrate unrighteousness.' They proclaim it on the billboards. They proclaim it in the streets. Unrighteousness.