Debate Caron Butler‘s game all you want. But his business sense, awareness and vision for life after basketball is teflon around these parts.

Gery Woelfel of the Journal Times explains:

Racine, WI. native Caron Butler, a former Park High School and current Dallas Mavericks star, decided several years ago that his abilities extend beyond a basketball court.

“Ever since I was 24, I’ve been thinking outside the box,” the 30-year-old Butler said. “As an athlete, you don’t know the life expectancy of your career.

“I want to do a lot of things with my life. I want to make as much money off the court as I’ve made on the court.

“I want to continue to grown and build my net worth.”

That is a lofty entrepreneurial goal as Butler already is in the high-end tax bracket. He is a millionaire many times over.

Butler will be paid $10.6 million this season and could earn even more next summer. That’s when he could be an unrestricted free agent and sign with the team of his choice … or accept a multi-year extension from the Mavs.

Either way, Butler’s net worth will inevitably expand.

But Butler is in the process of branching out and attempting to maximize all of his other skills, including those in the business sector.

He is the sole proprietor of six Burger King restaurants around the country.

“I once worked at Burger King in Racine,” Butler said. “I know the business. I know it from the janitorial spot all the way through the management side.

“I know that game inside and out.”

Butler has also had discussions with Mark Cuban, the Mavericks’ billionaire owner, about “shadowing” him and learning more about the intricacies of business.

Butler also intends on taking a course in business next summer at Duke University.

While Butler was just like almost every other kid growing up who wanted to be “Just like Mike” – as in [Michael] Jordan – he now wants to be just like Magic – as in [Earvin “Magic”] Johnson.

“Just seeing what Magic Johnson has done and is doing is unreal,” Butler said. “He’s part-owner of the (Los Angeles) Lakers, he owns Starbucks, Burger Kings, LA Fitnesses and theaters.

“I’m trying to get more and more involved in different things like him.”

On helping usher a midnight basketball league in his hometown and giving away 250 spanking new bikes to youths in the community:

“The young kids had to sign peace pledges. They pledged to become great pillars in our community. And they had to abide by the rules, that they ride safely and that they ride with helmets. … Racine has been hit hard by the economy,” Butler said. “But we got a lot of great energy in this city, a lot of great people. One of the things I want to do is bring more opportunity and more awareness to Racine. I don’t want to get into it, but we got some big things coming to the city within the next two years. I look forward to big things for this city.”

On his new daughter Ava, born a few weeks ago, whose godfather is Miami Heat superstar Dwyane Wade:

“I love kids. I learn so much being around my (4) children. They keep me young. They’re the most important thing to me in the world. I always say, ‘Family first.’ I got that tatted on my back.”

The Mavericks acquired Butler, big-man Brendan Haywood and guard DeShawn Stevenson from Washington in February. They dealt forwards Josh Howard and Drew Gooden, and two other players to the Wizards.

Butler’s been a HT favorite for as long as he’s been in the league. Any guy with the nickname “Tough Juice” has to be one of your favorites.

But this pushes his stock even higher in our eyes.

We love to see a guy taking care of business, on and off the court.