Before the Chicago Bulls waived him on Monday, Jaden Ivey was initially shut down for the rest of the season due to a left knee injury.
Ivey was having the best year of his career before suffering a broken left fibula on January 1, 2025. He missed the remainder of the campaign as the Detroit Pistons reached the first round of the playoffs.
The 24-year-old guard had a setback before the start of this season. He suffered a right knee injury in the preseason and had to undergo surgery. He ended up missing the first four weeks and never regained his rhythm, losing his spot in the rotation.
Detroit eventually traded him to the Bulls as part of a three-team deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves at the deadline. He played just four games in Chicago before a left knee injury in practice sidelined him.
The Bulls wanted to be cautious with him, so they shut him down for the rest of the season days before his release. He then made anti-LGBTQ remarks, which preceded his exit from the franchise.
Ivey Claims Jesus Healed His Knee
Speaking on the PinPoint Podcast a day after getting waived, Ivey opened up about his faith, career, personal struggles and reactions to his social media rants. He even had suicidal thoughts after breaking his leg, crediting Jesus for saving him at a critical point in his life.
Ivey also made a startling claim about his injury, which he told the Bulls before they shut him down for the rest of the season.
“I said, ‘I’m ready. Jesus healed my knee,’” Ivey said.
The Bulls wanted to be on the cautious side of things, even though Ivey felt healthy. He didn’t have a choice since the franchise wanted him to rehab his left knee. But he felt differently, saying:
“God healed my knee, and I said I was ready to play and I was willing, and they’re losing anyway. … They’re not making the playoffs. So what does it matter?”
It mattered, but his shutdown didn’t last long. The Bulls announced it on March 27, and he was gone from the team three days later.
Ivey Set To Earn Full Salary Despite Exit
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 09: Jaden Ivey #31 of the Chicago Bulls goes to the basket as Ben Saraf #77 of the Brooklyn Nets defends in the first half at Barclays Center on February 09, 2026 in New York City.
Even though the Bulls waived Ivey, they ensured that the young player would receive his full salary this season, as reported by The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov. He was set to earn $10,107,163 in what was the final year of his rookie contract.
Ivey will be a free agent this summer, but it’s unclear if there’s going to be a team that would show interest in him. He didn’t just take a shot at the NBA’s decision to celebrate Pride Month, but he also called out players like LeBron James, Steph Curry and Anthony Edwards.
One of his former Bulls teammates, Josh Giddey, hoped that Ivey could get help if he needed. Ivey has also claimed on the Pinpoint Podcast that his wife and family have stopped talking to him after what has happened over the past 48 hours.
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