Chris Haynes leaves the Plain Dealer to join ESPN

The Cleveland Cavaliers have suffered their biggest loss of the off-season as Chris Haynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer has moved on to work the Golden State Warriors beat for ESPN.

The news was officially announced by Haynes on Twitter and Facebook. Here’s what Haynes wrote about his move:

I felt it was only right that I announce this on my birthday. I am leaving Cleveland.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer to cover the NBA/Warriors for ESPN.

The last two years in Cleveland has been an incredible ride and an experience I'll cherish forever. I'm grateful to Cleveland.com for giving me the opportunity to cover such a historical beat. The Cavalier fan base is one of a kind and I learned so much about the people of Northeast Ohio. They're passionate and educated about their teams, which forced me to step my game up. For that, I have become a better journalist. I truly enjoyed my time there and I hope the readers enjoyed my coverage.

This move will bring me closer to home (Fresno), something I never thought was possible. My wife and kids are thrilled to be headed back to California. This role also places me in front of another historical team in the Warriors. It's going to be interesting, but y'all know I'm up for it.

Thank you to everyone who has followed my journey/career and I urge you to continue doing so. It is much appreciated.

Haynes has done an incredible job covering the Cavs over the last two seasons, providing great insight, breaking news as well as important commentary on a daily basis.

The return of LeBron James to the Cavaliers brought a very high caliber of writers and beat reporters into the fold with Haynes and ESPN’s Dave McMenamin joining the Akron Beacon Journal’s Jason Lloyd, as well as some fresh faces in Chris Fedor and Joe Vardon. The Cavs are still in very good hands moving forward (especially with all the great Cavs news and analysis at fearthesword.com) with McMemamin, Lloyd, Windhorst, Fedor and Vardon, but the loss of Haynes will be felt.

Is it possible that having Anderson Varejao as a double agent wasn't enough for the Cavs now that Kevin Durant has joined the Warriors? I'm not going to confirm or deny it. But on behalf of everybody at Fear the Sword I want to congratulate Chris on this wonderful opportunity and all the best moving forward.