Overview
- The Bulls announced Tuesday they released guard Jaden Ivey for "team-damaging behavior" after Instagram livestreams in which he criticized the LGBTQ movement and Pride Month.
- Hours after the release, Ivey went live again to make religious claims, saying Michael Jordan’s and LeBron James’s championship rings would be worthless on the day of judgment and denouncing Catholicism as a false religion.
- Ivey’s standing in the league has grown uncertain, with several outlets reporting that teams may hesitate to sign him given the conduct controversy and his recent injuries.
- Ivey was acquired from the Detroit Pistons on February 3, then sidelined with knee pain starting February 11; he played four games for Chicago and was already ruled out for the season.
- Pride Month takes place in June, so many NBA teams hold earlier-season Pride Nights to show support for LGBTQ people, which made Ivey’s comments especially visible during the regular schedule.