Rockets was picked because it reflected the outstanding growth of space-age industries in San Diego. Even though the team relocated to Houston in 1971, the nickname still fits because of the NASA space program's operation center there.

Despite the play of Hayes, attendance at the Rockets' games was ranked toward the bottom of the league. This led Breitbard to sell his franchise to real estate broker Wayne Duddleston and banker Billy Goldberg. The group bought the Rockets forR$5.6 million, and they moved the franchise to Houston in 1971.