Kate Hudson's Agent Denies Dating Her!!!

Kate Hudson's agent made it clear ... holding hands does NOT equal banging.

Michael Kives was all smiles Tuesday at LAX, telling our photog he and Kate are just friends.

There's been various pics that have surfaced showing Kate and Michael all chummy, but he says she's a client and a friend, and that's it.

Kate's got younger fish to fry ... as in Nick Jonas.