Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show - 5 On It: What letter grade do you give the Bulls for their flurry of trades?

Episode Date: February 5, 2026

, Leila Rahimi and Marshall Harris discussed a variety of sports topics in the 5 On It segment.

This hour is brought to you by vasectomy clinics of Chicago. It's time for five on it. Rahini Harrison Rooney. Bring you five topics on their minds today. On 104-3, the score. I got five on it. Number one. The NBA trade deadline is today at two, but it seems like a bulk of the bull's moves are obviously done.

If that is indeed the case and our tourist kind of showvis and company, Stan Pat, the rest of the way. What letter grade are you giving the Bulls for their moves? Marshall loves that question. Take it away, Marshall. Professor Marshall, what grade are you giving the Bull? If they don't do another move after this to where they are right now, they're getting a D plus. They're getting a D plus.

Here's why they're getting a D plus. They're getting D plus because if you look at their roster as it's currently constructed right now and Billy Donovan doing what he does, they're going to win more games. They're not going to win too many games to tank, is what you're saying. Not just too many games to tank, but also explain to me what they're going to have at the end of the season

when all of the contracts that they traded away, they're expiring contracts for, also expire. I'm looking at you, Anthony Simons. I'm looking at you, Colin Sexton. They gave Josh getting more money, Because they wanted to. True, true. I don't have as much problem with Giddy as some people do because it's still $25 million for your lead point guard who's going to average close to a triple double regardless of who you put around him. That's just who he is.

And I know the defensive liability is there. The problem is if you still have Jalen Smith starting at center, if you still have Isaac Okoro and Mattis Buzellis. If you still have fill in the blank with whoever you want to put beside Josh Giddy, you're going to be. Okay. Mack McClellan. And in a world where there's already 10 to 12 other teams tanking way harder than you, you're going to come up with wins that you don't want to come up with. Well, that's it.

It's that they can tank for the Bulls, but tanking for the Bulls is not necessarily tanking as to what it looks like for the rest of the league. Like keep in mind, an Achilles injury has made the team that nearly won the NBA finals and the Pacers. Now, one of the worst teams in the league. That's what you're up against when it comes to losing and trying to do this in a way that gives you the better chance. The saddest part is what it came down to last time, which was the coin flip for the first overall pick, and it went to the Mavericks because of the tiebreakers. That's the saddest part.

Like, do you think the Bulls are going to get any closer to that chance again? You know what's sadder than that? If the Bulls had won that tiebreaker and if they had picked Cooper Flag, Do you still trust Arturish Karnasovas and Mark Eversley to make the moves to surround that young core with players good enough to properly develop him? Yeah, because they had Yokic in Denver and AK was the assistant GM. Like if you've got the star of all stars, like if you've got that guy, then life becomes infinitely easier in the league. I don't know that I trust them to make the right moves. Concerning these same players we're talking about, Kobe White, Iota Suma, Vooch.

Does Vooch get moved? Like, are we dealing with the same type of deadline? And that's my point. If you get Cooper flag. They probably try to win now based on that group. Exactly. And that would have been a mistake with that group. That's the problem.

Vooch is old. He cannot play defense. You've got to have a team like the Celtics with all these defenders to be able to build a chance. We're talking about championship, not just get into the playoffs. But you're also talking about the difference of like four months when you consider that Vooch's contract was up at the end of the year.

Like you're assuming that Vooch would have been extended in that scenario. Oh, I hope. I hope not. But you see what I'm saying? Like his contract was up anyway. Yeah, but you still should get something for him. That's all I'm saying. You should read.

So what Dallas is doing right now with Cooper Flagg is perfect. They're letting him go out there and do all the things. You know what else they're doing? They're losing. So they're going to have somebody else to put beside him this coming off season. Yeah, it sounds so strange and counterintuitive, but it really does take work to lose enough to be guaranteed those chances. And it also takes having a stable of draft.

that you can use for somebody else. And now the question becomes, is that somebody else to Monta Savonis? And that's where I sit with this. And the answer to that is a stern no. But what's the grade? I think for me the grade is like a B. Maybe like a B minus because they got draft picks.

Okay. I would have liked to have seen a first round draft pick. That would have changed it for me. But they are doing the right things. And like I would have kept I. but I think they are doing the things that they needed to to get out of some of these expiring deals. It was just they waited too long.

My D-plus is based more on still not having a sense of direction. But this question was based on if nothing changes between now and two. So I'm just answering it. Come back to me after the deadline. I might have a different answer for the grade. Number two. On Wednesday the Tribune's Brad Biggs reported that the Bears will hire former Dolphins running backs coach Eric Studsville

for the same position on Ben Jules. Johnson's staff on a scale of 1 to 10 on the confidence meter, trademark, where would you rate your level of confidence that Studsville will pick up where Eric B. Enemy left off? Well, Studeville has work experience with Ben Johnson in Miami. So I think because of that, he knows who he's getting. And therefore, I have a high level of confidence. I would say this is out of seven or eight for me, because you already have an established pattern with known personnel, both on your offensive line to block for them and your running backs who are going to be in that room. So given that you'll be in Kyle Menongai's second year, given that DeAndre Swift will be in

somewhat of a provie year yet again coming off of a career year for him, I like the confidence of knowing who you're getting and the coach you're hiring combined with all of those other things. For me, I'm going to give him a nine. One, I trust Ben Johnson. He's giving me no reason not to trust him at this point. Two, this is a guy who has an extensive resume when you talk about coaching guys who have had very successful seasons in the past. Marshawn Lynch, Willis McGeighy, C.J. Anderson, Rahim Mostard, all Pro Bowl seasons playing for Studsville.

He's also been there for guys who have gotten 1,000-yard seasons such as Willis McGahey, the aforementioned, Tiki Barber, also, Noshan Marino, Fred Jackson, one of my favorites, obviously. Anderson, Mostert, and Devon, DeVon, E. Chan. A. Chan. Yeah, A. Chan. I like the opportunity here for them to just keep going with the guy, especially if they do decide to upgrade that running back room. Number three. Friend of the show and Take the North podcast co-host, Dan Weider,

dropped a new piece for The Athletic this week. And, you know, this is what it's called. We know we'll do like things with five in it on the midday show. Clearly, five key questions ahead of free agency and the NFL draft. This question is inspired by Weedzie. Weezy! What are the Bears' top three needs this off season? And I would like you guys to please rank them in order of importance.

Layla and Marshall. The bear salary cap situation needs to be rectified. A lot of it is because they spend a lot of money. on an aspect of the team that I still think is their biggest need. Edge Rusher. Edge Rusher's number one for me. Also, you know what's number two? You might think it's something else.

It's safety. Do you know why? All of their safeties are free agents. All of them. Like all the ones you're familiar with, the two and then the two back on the depth chart. So because of that, you're going to have to sign somebody to that position.

In fact, you might have to sign four people. to that position or draft one. You get my drift. Safety is a, you have to address it. That position wise and the fact that roster wise, that might be your biggest need just because you've got to acquire people to fill the position given

that everybody came up at the same time. But it's edge rush or it's safety and then it's left tackle. Because Ozzie Tripillo's injury is serious and it can debilitate some careers in the NFL. Thank goodness he's young. So he can at least be a little more flexible.

You know, both with the body and with the timeline. But Theo Benedict is here your answer? You know, Braxton Jones is also coming up with a contract question. So do you extend Braxton Jones like a one-year permit? What do you do? So edge wretcher, safety, left tackle. Okay. I'm freezing in here.

Because of the way you answered the back in here of that question is why I'm starting there with my number one priority being left tackle. I don't want any questions about this offensive line. I love the fact that the only time we had questions about the offensive line is when the left tackle went down. To know that from one position in from the left all the way over to the right, they were good. I like that idea. Let's address left tackle off the top and let Ben Johnson's offense with Caleb Williams still developing and all those weapons he has. Let them go out there and score 30 points a game.

Let's just start with that. You're going to be in all the games if you score 30 points a game. If they score 30 points a game, they're arguably, if they average 30, doesn't that put them in the top three of the NFL? Yeah, that's the goal. Yeah. That's the goal. That's what Ben Johnson's used to as a play caller is having an offense that is in the top three. So that's where I'm starting.

Next up, just give me somebody who can get to the quarterback. I don't care if it's an edge rusher. I don't care if it's an upgraded defensive tackle. Somebody's got to get to the quarterback. There has to be a reasonable threat that on obvious passing downs, your dude is getting sacked. So that's number two. At least disrupt the timing.

You know, something. And number three, so I guess I went in reverse order. Did I go in reverse order? Safety? Did you go safety first? Safety was second for me. Okay, so same three, just in different order. I'm going to go with safety. You probably need to know who's playing at your free and your strong safety.

You probably need to know. Confidently, you ask Ryan Poles. So who's safety on your? team, any of them. Then we'll name check Kevin Byard and say we hope to bring him back. Kevin, Kevin nailed the elevator pitch. Kevin Byers is going to be a savvy businessman after he leaves the league. Why not both right now?

Yeah, he could do both. Absolutely. The business of Byrd has never been better. Number four. This week, the New York Post, Joel Sherman, suggested that the idea of the Cubs trading second baseman Nico Horner is still a possibility. Quote, the Cubs were open to moving Horner at point. during this off season, especially after the signing of Alex Bregman, that could allow Matt Shaw

to shift to second base. Sherman goes on to say he is due $12 million for 2026 before becoming a free agent, and the Cubs could have to get a strong return considering dealing him. So Sherman also called Horner, an ideal candidate for the Yankees. So there's a possibility the Red Sox are interested in him as well. on a scale of 1 to 10 on the Hegan meter, where would you rate the likelihood of a Nico Horner trade? Three on the Hegan meter. And I'm going back to the interview that Jed Hoyer did

graciously with David Haw and Bruce Levine at Cubs Convention on Inside the Clubhouse. And I took some rough notes and he talked about the interest in trading for Nico and developing the relationships with the players who you develop when they come up with your team. And he's like, of course teams are calling because he's really good.

I have to do my job. I have to listen. That's what he told him. And he said he wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't listen. And he's right. You have to listen to every possible deal because you never know

when you can get a real steel and we don't know every trade that's discussed. And just like we do on this show, that's what GMs do. Like they start with the ideal trade and then go from there. So I understand he's going to field calls, and I know he should. But I would hope that it's got to be a really high price on somebody who is such a reliable piece of your lineup this year.

And Matt Shaw, when he got regular reps, did improve. There's no doubt about that. That's what kind of worries me as well, is how dedicated is this team to making sure Shaw gets regular reps so he stays in that hitting vein. You know, we've gotten various reports about him as to whether or not he was coachable. That came out through the athletic a couple weeks ago. But you've got to balance getting your established guys who are consistent who can produce good time. And then also trying to get somebody who you think has offensive promise enough reps and enough at bats to be able to do so. Ideally, for Matt Shaw, if he can learn to play, I don't know, outfield, that would help.

But like, let that guy get 100 starts. Everybody doesn't need to play every day. These players aren't 22, 23 years old that he'd be subbing in for. I think on the Higone meter, I didn't say that right. He gone! There we go. There we go. How did that happen where we said it like that at the same time?

I'm a wizard. He is a wizard. You really are. Tyler Boutabar, as my colleague Marguerty often says, truly a butte. Listen, put me at a 2.5. because could he be gone? Yes. Do I expect him to be gone?

Absolutely not. But you never know what's going to happen. Is there anybody who's like a zero on the Higon meter? Yes. Ian Hap. He has a no trade clause. That would be Ian Hap. I have engineered my own zero on the Higon meter.

Probably Alex Bregman. Also, because they just signed him. Yes. Well, for me, he's a 0.1 because crazy things happen sometimes. Fair enough. But yeah. 2.5 is where I'm going to.

put it, I don't expect him to be gone. You never know what could happen. They really need to figure it out if they can re-sign this guy and re-sign Nico Horner. I like him as a cornerstone for that team or really any team because Nico Horner is that dude. I mean, if the Giants are like, hey, we really want him. He's from the Bay Area. we'll give you Raphael Devers. You're like, hmm, interesting. Number five. It's a ridiculous trade. It's not real. I made it up. It's five on it on 104.3 of the score with Laylorah, Rahimi, and Marshall Harrison. A very pressing question for question number five.

Was Pitbull really at the Spurs Thunder game last night? Because I tuned in to that game in the fourth quarter. And it was an action-packed game. And at a certain point, before they went to a commercial break, the announcer, the camera goes to the crowd. And there's a guy dressed like Pitbull, a bald Latino dude with sunglasses in a suit. He did res- Oh, and yes, Layla. And the facial hair.

And the, you know, the very distinct mustache. The Fou Manchu combination. Yeah. The chin beard and then the mustache. Lined up just like Pitbull. And the announcers said even Pitbull's excited or something along those lines.

Like they called out Pitbull by name. The only thing about this situation is the guy was not sitting courtside. He was like, like up in the crowd amongst the jackals, what they're called, the group that Victor Weimmynama has called for, like, to be kind of like soccer style fans that are constantly making noise throughout the game. Maybe you wanted an authentic NBA experience.

He really does look like pit bull. He definitely. Does that mean you think he is pit bull? No, because I did some work on the topic and texted my better buddy Hector, who is a sportscaster in San Antonio. What did Hector say? Hector goes, could be wrong, but I don't think that was him. Was there last night into my seat for most of the game?

So he didn't see the broadcast. And the PA guy didn't recognize him. A quick check of social media doesn't show anything other than a couple of tweets asking that it was him. And I go, well, if you need a kicker, you know, like the little fun thing at the end of your show, that might be the one because they kept calling him pit bull on the air. Thanks for letting me know. And then he goes, ESPN did it?

And I'm like, yeah. Yeah, it was at least one time. But it was one time enough where the camera was. isolated on the man, and they said it was Pitbull. They didn't say, is this Pitbull? They said, this is Pitbull. I wonder if the director said, that's Pitbull, and he's went with it. Or was in a joking

manner. It was not in a joking manner. It was very serious. It was like, serious, like, even Pit Bull's loving it. I mean, it could have been, but it didn't sound like it to me. It sounded like they really thought that was Pitbull. And the other thing, as you said, Leila, when you do do the check on social media and ask

the question, was pit bull at the Spurs game, you could You could search the Spurs social media accounts. Don't you think if Pitbull was at the game, they would have put something out there, some kind of picture of him. They did not. That's what the Bulls do.

The Bulls are like in the house. And then they'll play some clip. And then that's how you know who's in the house. Every team does it because it's the smart thing to do. So yeah, A, the man wasn't sitting courtside. Mr. Worldwide is going to have a court side seat. And B, there's no official social media pictures

from the team's account. So I think ESPN got got on that one And they just called another Latino dude That wanted to get on camera And knew what he had to do Dress like Pitbull, I'll get on camera I'd listen to Pitbull, that's what I did Next thing you know they're going to be saying

That Pitbull from Miami is an American And shouldn't be performing at the halftime show Or does Pitbull because he wears a suit And is in it off commercials qualified under corporate rock I mean sort of I mean Pitbull has his own stadium now He sure does in Florida. That's right. That's where

Tampa plays. I think it's Tampa, yeah. If there's anybody who totally won the day on dress for the job you want, not the job you have, is it not pit bull for constantly wearing a suit? Always. I've thought about that a lot. Club ready, meeting ready, whatever you need

ready. And I'll just end my observations of the fake pit bull by saying one word. D'Ale. I did ask you, was he counting to four? And I asked if he was counting to four in both English and Spanish. Did I not? You did.

You did. Because if you were, then we would have really known. But he would have been Corside. I hear he's trying to make a comeback. He is going on tour, and the tour is coming to Tinley Park. He's going on a tour with Lil John. And I'm very excited about this. I would go to that show.

And the East Side Boys? No, it's just, I think it's just Lil John. Oh, okay. More details to come, I'm sure. I also would go to. to that concert. Tindley Park, Layla, we got to do it. I know, we do. I'm coming up next here on Rahimi Harrison Grotie on 670 to score. We've been asking a lot of questions about the Bulls. Well, guess what? We have somebody who can answer them. Like, who's playing tonight?

Julia Poe made the trip to Toronto. She will join us next. The Beat Rider for the Chicago Tribute on the score.