According to multiple reports, the Chicago Bulls will be giving Jaden Ivey his salary in full despite being waived for detrimental conduct within the organization. This decision comes after Ivey went on unhinged rants of homophobia, calling out other players, and religion.
In total, the 24-year-old will be making the $10.1 million he was originally owed for this season. Once he clears waivers, Ivey will be an unrestricted free agent that can sign with any team that wants him.
Beyond the unhinged rants online, he reportedly harassed reporters, told Chicago that Jesus healed his knee (which after an MRI revealed his knee was, in fact, not healed), made players uncomfortable with the constant preaching, and told players who were “righteous and unrighteous.”
Head coach Billy Donovan addressed the situation publicly soon after he was waived.
“I think there’s a certain level of standards and expectations that are here,” Donovan said. “We have people from all different walks of life working in the building and players from all different walks of life. We’ve got to all be professional. I think there’s got to be a high level of respect for one another, and we got to help each other and then be accountable to those standards.”