Way back in 1967, the San Diego Rockets were born. Robert Breitband paid $1.75 million for the franchise to join the NBA as part of the expansion plan for the 1967-68 season. The name “Rockets” was chosen because San Diego was a “city in motion” and due to the local space-age manufacturers.
Similar to most new teams, the Rockets struggled out of the gate. Fortunately, they ended up with the No. 1 pick in the 1968 Draft and they selected Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes. By 1971, the Rockets moved from San Diego to Houston after a change in ownership.