Look, the traditional NBA point guard is dead. Gone are the days when the guy bringing the ball up the court was guaranteed to be the shortest dude on the hardwood. In today's league—well, the 2025-26 version of it anyway—size isn't just a luxury. It's the whole blueprint. If you're looking for the tallest point guard in the nba, you're basically looking at a history of how the game evolved from 6-foot-nothing floor generals to literal giants who can pass.
Honestly, the conversation usually starts and ends with Ben Simmons. At 6'10", he’s technically the tallest player to ever consistently call himself a point guard. But the 2026 landscape is messy. Simmons is a free agent as we hit the mid-point of the season, and his status as an active "point guard" is kind of a moving target depending on who you ask.
The Reign of the 6'10" Floor General
For decades, Magic Johnson was the gold standard. He was 6'9" and moved like a gazelle. People thought he was a fluke, a one-off unicorn that we'd never see again. Then the modern era hit.
Ben Simmons didn't just break Magic’s height record; he shattered the idea of what a "big man" does. Standing 6 feet 10 inches, Simmons has the frame of a power forward but the vision of a pure playmaker. When he's actually on the floor—which, let's be real, has been the biggest "if" in sports for years—he dominates the transition game. He sees over the defense. He finds angles that a 6'2" guard literally can't see because there's a 7-foot center in their face.
But here is the thing: size has a cost.
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- Lateral Quickness: It is harder to slide those long legs to keep up with a guy like De'Aaron Fox.
- Handle Height: A 6'10" player has a higher dribble, which means more space for "cookie jars" (steals).
- Shooting Mechanics: Traditionally, the tallest guards have struggled with the perimeter jump shot.
Who is the Tallest Point Guard in the NBA Right Now?
If we're talking about the 2025-2026 season specifically, the title is a bit contested. Since Simmons isn't currently locked into a starting rotation, the "active" crown often shifts to Luka Doncic.
Luka is listed at 6'7" (though some swear he’s 6'8" in shoes). He’s the engine of the Los Angeles Lakers now, and his size is exactly why he’s a nightmare. He doesn't outrun you; he just out-bulks you. You've got a 6'3" defender trying to stop a guy who weighs 230 pounds and stands half a head taller. It's not a fair fight.
Then you have the "Positionless" monsters.
Think about Victor Wembanyama. He’s 7'3" (or 7'4" or 7'5" depending on the day). Is he a point guard? No. Does he bring the ball up and initiate the offense like one? Often. The Spurs have used him in "point-center" roles that make the whole concept of a "tallest point guard" feel a bit outdated.
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Why the NBA Obsesses Over Tall Guards
It’s all about the "Switch Everything" defense.
In the old days, if a point guard got caught on a screen and switched onto a center, it was a "barbecue chicken" alert. Easy bucket. Now, if you have a 6'10" point guard, a switch doesn't matter. They can guard 1 through 5.
- Passing Windows: Tall guards can pass over the top of a double team.
- Rebounding: A point guard who can grab 10 boards a game (like Magic or Simmons) starts the fast break instantly. No waiting for an outlet pass.
- Post-Ups: They can take smaller guards into the paint and punish them.
Comparing the All-Time Giants
If we look at the history books, the list of giants who actually played the point is surprisingly short. Most tall guys get shoved into the "Forward" spot the moment they hit 6'8".
| Player | Height | Primary Role |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Simmons | 6'10" | Point Guard / Point Forward |
| Magic Johnson | 6'9" | Point Guard |
| Luka Doncic | 6'7" | Point Guard |
| Penny Hardaway | 6'7" | Point Guard |
| LaMelo Ball | 6'7" | Point Guard |
| Cade Cunningham | 6'6" | Point Guard |
| Josh Giddey | 6'8" | Point Guard / Wing |
Josh Giddey is a name that doesn't get enough credit in this "tallest" conversation. At 6'8", he’s one of the few players who truly functions as a primary distributor while having the height of a traditional small forward.
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The "Wemby" Effect and the Future
We are heading toward a league where the "tallest point guard" might eventually be 7 feet tall. Kids are growing up watching Nikola Jokic (6'11") run the offense from the elbow and Wembanyama crossing people over at the perimeter.
The traditional 6-foot guard is becoming a specialist. Unless you have elite, God-tier shooting like Steph Curry or insane speed like Ja Morant, being "short" in the NBA is a massive liability. Teams are actively scouting for 6'9" kids and teaching them how to dribble rather than just telling them to stand under the rim.
Basically, the NBA is becoming a league of giants who think they're guards.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Scouts
If you're following the trend of the tallest point guard in the nba, watch how teams are drafting. They aren't looking for "point guards" anymore; they're looking for "initiators."
- Watch the Wingspan: A 6'6" guard with a 7'0" wingspan (like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) effectively plays "taller" than a 6'8" guard with short arms.
- Check the Usage Rate: Just because a guy is tall doesn't mean he's a "point guard." Look for who is actually bringing the ball across half-court and calling the plays.
- Defense is the Key: The real value of a tall guard is on the other end of the floor. If they can't guard the perimeter, their height is just a target for faster players.
The "Magic Johnson" archetype is no longer a miracle. It's the standard. Whether it's Ben Simmons trying for a comeback or a new rookie coming out of Europe, the ceiling for point guard height is literally getting higher every single year.