Chicago Bulls Jaden Ivey Responds To Surprise Benching Against The Raptors
When the Detroit Pistons traded Jaden Ivey to the Chicago Bulls at the deadline, the hope was that a change of scenery would reignite the young guard’s career. Instead, the move has raised more questions than answers. In the Bulls’ first game back from the All-Star break against the Toronto Raptors, Ivey found himself in unfamiliar territory: the bench, for the entire game.
As the only healthy guard on the roster who didn’t see the floor in the 110-101 loss, Ivey’s DNP-CD (Did Not Play – Coach’s Decision) signals a rocky start to his tenure in Chicago. For a player selected fifth overall just a few years ago, this benching is a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the NBA.
Jaden Ivey In A Crowded Chicago Bulls Backcourt
The Chicago Bulls are currently in a transition phase, having reshaped their roster at the trade deadline. This has created a logjam in the backcourt, with the team effectively carrying a six-guard rotation. Navigating playing time in such a crowded room is difficult for any coach, let alone Acting Head Coach Wes Unseld Jr., who stepped in while Billy Donovan attended to family matters.
Unseld Jr. stated that the decision to sit Ivey was “strictly a basketball decision,” though he deferred long-term rotation choices to Donovan upon his return. Before the All-Star break, Ivey had started in three of his four games with Chicago, averaging decent numbers (11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4 assists). However, the sudden shift to the bench suggests the team is still figuring out where—or if—he fits into their long-term puzzle.
Injuries and Identity: “The Old J.I. Is Dead”
Beyond the rotation crunch, Ivey is battling his own physical hurdles. He admitted to dealing with knee soreness, lingering effects from a knee injury and subsequent surgery earlier in the season. While he says the injury hasn’t stopped him from practicing, he acknowledged that he isn’t the same explosive athlete he was before fracturing his fibula in early 2025.
“I’m sure people can call it out that I’m not the same player I used to be,” Ivey told reporters candidly. “That’s why. I’m not the J.I. I used to be. But the old J.I. is dead.”
This honest, somewhat somber reflection highlights the mental and physical toll the last year has taken on him. Ivey is set to hit restricted free agency this summer, making this stretch of games crucial for his financial future and career trajectory. He needs to prove he can adapt his game if his elite athleticism has been compromised.
What Lies Ahead for Ivey?
The situation is becoming urgent. The Pistons moved on from Ivey because the fit wasn’t right, swapping him for floor-spacer Kevin Huerter to support their own playoff push. Now in Chicago, a team looking toward a rebuild, Ivey should theoretically have a runway to make mistakes and grow. Yet, getting benched for an entire game suggests the coaching staff isn’t handing out minutes based on draft pedigree alone.
With a matchup against his former team, the Pistons, looming on the schedule, all eyes will be on the rotation. Will Ivey get a chance to show Detroit what they gave up? Or will he remain on the sidelines, watching his former teammates from afar?
Ivey remains professional, stating, “Win, lose or draw I’m here to do my job.” But for a young talent trying to secure his second NBA contract, doing his job requires getting on the court first.
