The Jaden Ivey situation is incredibly unfortunate, and the fact that people are taking advantage of it instead of attempting to help him is an indictment of the way mental health is discussed today, writes Gavin Dorsey.
Jaden Ivey's release from the Chicago Bulls this week has created one of the most polarizing discussions in the NBA this season.
The fourth-year guard was waived on Monday due to "conduct detrimental to the team," despite having not appeared in a game since Feb. 19. Over the past week, Ivey has streamed live videos on Instagram — some extending over an hour long — in which he's ranted about a variety of topics.
Ivey's monologues have spawned conversations across the internet about mental health. In one video on a public airplane, Ivey called out Stephen Curry for his differing religious practices and loudly discussed his faith until a flight attendant notified him that he needed to switch to Airplane Mode.
A day later, Ivey complained in another video that his family members and those around him "betrayed him" and called him crazy because of his comments. He admitted that his wife is not responding to his texts either.
The media, fans, the NBA and people disconnected from basketball entirely have spent the past few days trying to dissect Ivey's behavior. Is Ivey a victim of religious persecution for sharing his beliefs? Was the Bulls organization's decision to waive him justified? Is the situation indicative of a larger mental health crisis that threatens his safety?
Ivey appeared as a podcast guest on Tuesday night to clear the air, and his comments there should make it abundantly clear that his situation is not about religion.
"I have almost committed suicide multiple times, and I'm not ashamed to say it," Ivey said during an episode of the PinPoint Podcast, a Christian show. "I'm not ashamed because God was merciful to keep me here. I almost committed suicide. I had oxy pills in my hand, and my wife was telling me, 'Don't do it. Don't do this. Don't go down this road.' And God was convicting me, and I didn't know the truth. I didn't do it by God's grace. He kept me here."
In addition to revealing that he attempted to take his life, Ivey has lashed out on social media, ostracized those close to him, burned bridges with NBA teams and fellow players, been verbally disruptive in public spaces and rambled about apple pie in the middle of it all. Those aren't the actions of someone who is of sound mind and body; they are textbook examples of someone undergoing a serious mental health issue.
Feb 11, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jaden Ivey (31) gets a shot off around Boston Celtics guard Jordan Walsh (27) during the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn ImagesMental health in sports is as prominent a discussion point as ever. Two NFL players died by suicide in the past five months alone. Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland (24 years old) died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police chase in November. Former Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings receiver Rondale Moore (25) suffered season-ending knee injuries prior to each of the last two years before ending his life in February.
The crisis is not isolated to the NFL, either. Five-time NBA All-Star John Wall revealed in 2022 that he considered suicide after various injuries and deaths in his family. DeMar DeRozan and Kevin Love have been open about suffering from depression as well over the back ends of their careers.
So what can the NBA do to address this? The combination of social media bringing fans unprecedented access to players, widespread sports gambling and exponential monetary increases in the value of major sports has led to more athletes struggling with the pressure of it all than ever before.
And while the NBA, NFL and other sports leagues have taken significant steps to support their athletes in recent years, these organizations still have a long way to go.
"We all know we have a mental health coach with the organization that we can all use at any point," Bulls guard Tre Jones said after the team's shootaround on Wednesday. "He's been around the whole year, so that's something that players do have access to, which is definitely nice and definitely needed. Throughout the year, you've got a lot going on basketball-wise, but in life as well. We all deal with things. A mental health coach can definitely help, but everybody deals with things in their own ways."
Following his release, Ivey is no longer a member of the Chicago Bulls, even though he will still be paid the entirety of his $10.1 million salary for this season. That means that he cannot use the Bulls' team mental health resources, but should he choose to seek help, he is still able to receive support as an NBA free agent.
The 24-year-old guard claims he is fine and that his recent rash decision-making is due to his religious salvation. Observing that Ivey is outwardly struggling with his mental health is not mutually exclusive with respecting and understanding his religious beliefs, and the sooner he and those closest to him realize that, the better everything will be for his sake.
"He’s a very talented player," Bulls guard Josh Giddey told the Chicago Sun-Times on Monday. "Obviously, the whole thing is kind of unfortunate in a way. I hope he gets the help he needs, whatever he’s going through or not going through. I do really hope he gets help. It’s not going to be with the Bulls anymore, but wherever it is, I hope he gets it."