NBA player terminated for criticizing LGBT community

From a promising young talent, Jaden Ivey is enduring the toughest stretch of his basketball career.

The basketball Chicago Bulls decided to terminate the contract with young guard Jaden Ivey on the morning of March 31 Vietnam time, just hours after the player posted a lengthy video on social media containing controversial statements regarding religion and the LGBT community.

During Instagram live streams, Ivey expressed opposition to the NBA promoting Pride Month, calling it an act "glorifying unrighteousness."

"The whole world openly supports LGBTQ, right?", Ivey said in a livestream. "They support Pride Month and the NBA does too. They show it to the whole world. They say, 'Join us in Pride Month to erase injustice (original: Unrighteousness).' They declare it on billboards. They declare it on the streets. That is unrighteousness (another meaning of Unrighteousness)."

These statements quickly sparked strong backlash, forcing the Bulls leadership to make a decisive move to protect the team's image and values.

After the contract termination, the 24-year-old guard continued to speak out, questioning the real reason behind the team's decision.

"The Chicago Bulls said my behavior harmed the team.", he said. "Why don't they just say: 'We disagree with your views on LGBT?' Why don't they say that? How does that behavior harm the team? What did I do wrong to the team? What did I do wrong to my teammates?"

Jaden Ivey had just joined the Chicago Bulls from the Detroit Pistons before the mid-season 2025-2026 trade deadline. As the 5th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Ivey had played very well and received high expectations, but a knee injury stalled his career. The shooter born in 2002 only appeared in 4 games for the Bulls before being confirmed to miss the rest of the season.

Not only drawing attention for his social media statements, Ivey is also said to have created an uncomfortable atmosphere in the locker room. According to some sources, he frequently shared religious views with high intensity, affecting the coaching staff and some teammates. This guard repeatedly emphasized that Christian faith changed him, asserting "the old person is gone."

Before the incident, head coach Billy Donovan expressed hope that Ivey could play a role in the team's long-term plans. However, he also stressed that all players must adhere to professional standards and respect each other.

With his contract terminated, Jaden Ivey's future is becoming uncertain. However, the Bulls' decision to "kick" this player out is also being fiercely criticized by a segment of NBA fans, in the context of other players with prior issues: Miles Bridges (Charlotte Hornets), Kevin Porter Jr. (Milwaukee Bucks) or Josh Giddey - Ivey's teammate at the Bulls who was accused of relations with a minor - are still playing and shining in the world's most exciting basketball league.