CHICAGO — The Chicago Bulls waived guard Jaden Ivey on Monday following social media comments that have fueled a broader debate over religion, personal beliefs and expression in professional sports.

The team cited “conduct detrimental to the team” in making the move, which came shortly after Ivey posted a series of videos discussing his faith and cultural issues.

In one widely shared livestream, Ivey criticized the NBA’s promotion of Pride Month, calling it “unrighteousness” and questioning why expressing religious views should be treated differently.

The comments quickly spread online, drawing backlash from some who viewed them as offensive, while others defended Ivey, arguing he was expressing sincerely held religious beliefs.

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Ivey, 24, had recently become more vocal about his faith, saying publicly that his life had changed and that he was “alive in Christ.” His social media videos also touched on personal struggles, including past battles with depression, as well as his religious convictions.

The former first-round pick out of Purdue University had appeared in just four games for Chicago after being acquired in a trade and was already ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury.

No legal issues or league discipline had been announced, and the decision appeared tied to team standards and internal expectations rather than on-court conduct.

The situation highlights an ongoing tension in professional sports, where athletes are encouraged to use their platforms, but can face consequences when their views conflict with organizational messaging.

Ivey is now a free agent.