Jaden Ivey’s Wife Denies Abandonment After Bulls Release

NBA player Jaden Ivey is reportedly set to receive his full season’s salary of $10.1 million, despite being waived by the Chicago Bulls. The decision came after Ivey made controversial anti-LGBTQ remarks during an Instagram Live session. Adding another layer to the story, his wife, Caitlyn Ivey, has publicly denied his claims that she abandoned him in the wake of the controversy.

Financial Security Amidst Controversy

According to reports from The Athletic, sources indicate that Ivey will be paid his entire salary for the season, even after the Bulls released the guard for what they termed “detrimental conduct to the team.” This financial cushion comes as Ivey, 24, navigates the fallout from his public statements.

Ivey’s comments, which included calling Catholicism a “false religion” and stating that “God does not hear your Prayer if you are a sinner,” sparked significant backlash online. He also criticized the NBA for celebrating Pride Month, labeling the league as representing “unrighteousness.” These statements led directly to the Bulls waiving him, making him an unrestricted free agent once he clears waivers.

Wife Denies Claims of Abandonment

Following his controversial remarks and subsequent release, Ivey took to another Instagram Live session, claiming that his wife and family had exiled him and written him off as “crazy.” He specifically mentioned that his wife, Caitlyn Ivey, was present on the live stream despite ignoring his messages.

Caitlyn Ivey, who shares three young children with the former Bulls player, eventually responded. She posted on her Instagram Story, denying his claims and stating they were communicating earlier that day. She suggested that people “say things for attention” and shared screenshots of direct messages she received, criticizing her for allegedly abandoning her husband. Caitlyn asserted, “If you know me you know I have never once abandoned that man through all the trials.. and I still haven’t now.”

Team’s Perspective and Ivey’s History

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan commented on the situation, emphasizing the team’s standards and expectations for professionalism and respect among players from diverse backgrounds. Ivey was in the final season of his four-year rookie contract, initially signed after being drafted by the Detroit Pistons. He was traded to the Bulls in February 2026 and had only played in four games for the team, averaging 11.5 points per game, before being sidelined with a sore left knee for the remainder of the season, days before his controversial rant.