The 6-foot-4 guard played parts of two seasons after the Lakers purchased his rights from New York in January 1968. Playing off the bench in a supporting role to Jerry West, Crawford posted career highs in points per game and field-goal shooting percentage in his first 38 games with the team. However, his numbers took a dive in his only full season with the team in 1968-69 and the Lakers sold his rights to Milwaukee in 1969. Crawford retired in 1971.