NBA Shockwave: Bulls Waive Jaden Ivey After Viral Rant

Ivey went viral for a rant criticizing the NBA’s support of the LGBTQ+ community and Pride Month

[{"selector":"#anim-da478125-b03c-440f-859e-c9cd14266df6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-81193146-2182-4668-9c90-0b7a6b179322","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.99347%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

The Bulls released a brief statement citing "conduct detrimental to the team" as the official reason for his release on March 30

[{"selector":"#anim-aca177eb-0387-4b7b-914c-44db846a7859","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4d160185-244c-498f-b9f0-7bb25636739e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.02564%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

The move came exactly during Transgender Day of Visibility, a day the NBA officially recognizes and supports.

[{"selector":"#anim-3a0049fc-d7a7-499d-b94b-af8669cf27df","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1c418cab-1fe1-41a8-99bc-be0392f5b996","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-117.32027%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Following his waiver, Ivey claimed he was a "good teammate" and that he was let go solely for his religious preaching

[{"selector":"#anim-ac895b0c-8b42-4863-9b8d-671227aae1c0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5a78ad00-067c-48c0-bce0-c8f9dd7f86c2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-117.32027%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Donovan emphasized "high levels of respect" and professional standards for everyone "from all different walks of life" in the building.

[{"selector":"#anim-dfefda29-fade-47c0-9c1d-8be5d79c714a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2171c0e2-45ac-4437-87d9-41d132981cc4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-117.32027%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

After injuries and this controversy, the 24-year-old enters free agency with a massive question mark over his NBA future.

[{"selector":"#anim-6bd1a808-0e7f-4b56-95f0-5e3f524b5d8f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-399ad0e5-439e-4541-ab95-0df08532cebc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.68628%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Inclusion is Central 🏀

[{"selector":"#anim-cfeed57f-18aa-4fef-902b-61844604d405","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-29aa3bab-3451-4bc1-8d48-8ddbb94368c7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.68628%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Did the Bulls make the right move?

[{"selector":"#anim-a345f36f-d50d-43a2-a83d-f837665ba2a9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5dab8330-cf77-45fa-b55c-b3b4d82c8edb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.68628%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]