As the 2026 NBA Draft approaches, former lottery pick Jaden Ivey is a cautionary tale of how quickly someone's career trajectory can change.
Viewed as a potential All-Star when drafted, Ivey is currently out of the league at just 24 years old. However, Ivey was back in the news on Tuesday when a post on X went viral suggesting that he was interested in joining the Miami Heat .
On Tuesday, a post on X went viral, and many assumed it was from Ivey.
"So the Miami Heat need a slashing 2 guard," the post read with the eyes emoji. The tweet blew up, with more than 18,000 likes and 1.6 million views.
However, this account isn't connected to Ivey, so a community note was later added to the post: "This is not Jaden Ivey's account nor is he affiliated with it in any way."
The Detroit Pistons drafted Ivey, hoping to create an All-Star tandem with Cade Cunningham . While Cunningham has fulfilled expectations, Ivey's career was derailed for multiple reasons.
Ivey was named to the All-Rookie Second Team after averaging 16.3 points per game during his first NBA season, and he was progressing into an impactful scoring guard before suffering a broken left fibula on New Year's Day in 2025.
Ivey returned to action the following season, but he suffered a knee injury that required surgery. The injuries altered Ivey's career, and the Pistons traded him to the Chicago Bulls this past February. He suffered another knee injury while fighting to earn minutes in the Bulls' rotation, and he admitted that "the old J.I. is dead" due to the injuries he suffered.
Then, in March, he was ultimately waived for conduct detrimental to the team. Ivey became outspoken on social media, specifically calling out the NBA for celebrating Pride Month and using anti-gay language. Ivey's religious beliefs were at the forefront of his controversial livestreams, and he labeled Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry a "fake Christian." He also addressed some sensitive topics, including family trauma and his struggles with depression, suggesting that he was in the midst of a mental-health crisis.
After he was waived, reports surfaced that his strong religious beliefs alienated some of his Bulls teammates and staffers, with sources saying Ivey became "preachy."
Ivey believes NBA teams won't want to sign him because he's "too religious," so it's unclear what his future holds. Some NBA media members believe Ivey is unlikely to play in the league again due to his past comments and potential locker-room dynamics.
It remains to be seen whether he will try to make an NBA comeback, play overseas, or leave basketball behind altogether despite being just 24 years old.
