Pat Riley said Tuesday that his discussions with Billy Donovan have been about philosophy, not employment.

"He and I are just basically colleagues and exchange ideas," said Riley, who holds the dual role of team president. "He knows a lot of the staff here and they talk, but there isn't anything to it."

Riley envisions his eventual successor coming from his staff.

"I think that's the way it should be," he said. "Now, the one thing with me will probably have to do with the makeup of the team. Will these players be the kind of players that these men want to coach or will coach or can coach?"