Bulls Hint at Long-Term Commitment to Guard Jaden Ivey
Chicago – The Chicago Bulls appear committed to building around guard Jaden Ivey, despite a recent setback with a sore left knee. Ivey has been sidelined since mid-February, and his availability for the remainder of the regular season remains uncertain.
Injury Update and Recovery
The Bulls announced on Monday that Ivey will be re-evaluated in one week. The team is hopeful he can return to action before the end of the season, contingent on the strength of his knee. He was previously assigned to the G League’s Windy City Bulls for practice, but was immediately recalled.
Future with the Bulls
Ivey was acquired from the Detroit Pistons on February 3rd in a three-team trade involving the Houston Rockets. As a restricted free agent, the Bulls have the right to match any offer he receives when negotiations open on June 30th.
“The unfortunate part was that when he got here, you’re dealing with him coming into a completely new situation after the trade deadline and then trying to receive acclimated,”
Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan
Donovan’s comments suggest a strong organizational desire to retain Ivey. Despite playing only four games for the Bulls before the injury, the team sees potential in the 24-year-aged guard.
“The intention when [made the trade] is this could be somebody that would be here for a whereas. How all this plays out with the contract in July and the free agency part of it, understanding he’s restricted, I don’t know. But our intention organizationally was, this is a guy we feel could be a very, very good player, and this guy’s got a pretty long runway of being somewhat youthful and young.”
Billy Donovan
Ivey’s Performance
In his four games with the Bulls, Ivey averaged 11.5 points while shooting 42% from the field. Prior to joining Chicago, he had averaged 15.4 points in 77 games with the Pistons. This season, across 37 appearances, Ivey is averaging 8.5 points per game.
| Jaden Ivey | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | To | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 | DET | 74 | 31:08 | 41.6 | 34.3 | 74.7 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 3.9 | 5.2 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 3.2 | 0.2 | 16.3 |
| 2023-24 | DET | 77 | 28:48 | 42.9 | 33.6 | 74.9 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 15.4 |
| 2024-25 | DET | 30 | 29:56 | 46.0 | 40.9 | 73.3 | 1.3 | 2.8 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 0.4 | 17.6 |
| 2025-26 | CHI | 4 | 28:45 | 41.7 | 38.1 | 88.9 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 4.0 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 11.5 |
| 2025-26 | DET | 33 | 16:49 | 45.0 | 37.2 | 78.9 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 8.2 |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
Looking Ahead
The Bulls’ willingness to invest in Ivey’s future suggests they believe he can be a key component of their core alongside players like Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. The team will closely monitor his recovery and evaluate their options during the offseason.