Jaden Ivey Breaks Silence On Bulls Waiving, Says He Was Cut For Preaching The Gospel

NBA guard Jaden Ivey spoke publicly for the first time on a podcast since being waived by the Chicago Bulls, and he is not backing down.

And the Bulls are learning the hard way that you can waive Ivey, but you cannot silence him. 

READ: Christian Athletes Rally Behind Jaden Ivey After Bulls Cut Him Following Faith Remarks

The Bulls said Ivey’s release was due to conduct detrimental to the team, but based on his latest comments on the PinPoint Podcast, Ivey clearly believes this goes much deeper than basketball.

Former Chicago Bulls guard Jaden Ivey. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images)

The move sparked backlash from fans and fellow athletes, with Christian stars like TreVeyon Henderson publicly defending him. 

Ivey shared pieces of his personal journey, some of which were darker than expected out of the player.

"I’ve almost committed suicide multiple times," Ivey said. "And I’m not ashamed to say it. I’m not ashamed because God was merciful to keep me here."

The former top-five pick then shared one of the lowest moments of his life.

Jaden Ivey high-fives after the game against the Toronto Raptors on February 5, 2026, at the Scotiabank Arena. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images)

"I had (oxycodone) pills in my hand," Ivey said. "And my wife was telling me, ‘Don’t do this. Don’t go down this road.’"

According to Ivey, this has become a deeply personal fight involving not only his career, but also his faith and the people closest to him.

He also said family members have turned on him over his outspoken faith.

"Those who are around me, those who are my family members betraying (me) because of what I spoke. The truth. Betraying me. Saying that I’m losing my mind. Saying that I’m crazy. Those are my own household. All because of the Gospel. All because I said the truth," Ivey said.

RELATED: Right or Wrong, Jaden Ivey Wasn't Good Enough To Challenge The NBA's Pride

"I get surgery, I’m rehabbing, right?" Ivey added. "And I’m under this false doctrine of once saved, always saved. That you’re righteous, but it doesn’t matter if you sin, it can’t touch your soul."

He said that the belief system left him with no peace.

Jaden Ivey looks on during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 09, 2026, in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)

"And so I still had no peace, and I went back and during that time, I had my two children, and I was back in the world, back in the world again, trying to figure out what, what, what is the truth?" Ivey said.

As fallout from the Bulls’ decision continues, Ivey is also forcefully pushing back against the team’s explanation for his being cut. 

Ivey declared that he was a good teammate and never gave the organization a legitimate basketball reason to move on.

"I was a good teammate to those around me," Ivey said. "I made the right plays. I did exactly what the coach asked me to do on a daily basis. Whatever was needed, whatever was required of me to do, I was willing."

Then he directly challenged the Bulls’ public reasoning.

"My conduct was not detrimental to the team. It’s strictly because I spoke the truth of the word of God and was preaching the gospel," Ivey said.

Whether Ivey gets another NBA shot remains to be seen, but he made it clear he is willing to keep playing anywhere if it means staying true to what he believes.

"If that opportunity came, it doesn’t matter if it’s in the NBA," Ivey said. "It doesn’t matter if it’s, I know they don’t have it, but if it’s the CBA, if it’s overseas. It doesn’t matter. It could be the African league."

Right now, Ivey seems far less concerned with where he plays next than with making sure people hear exactly why he believes he is out of Chicago.

Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela