A scheduled entity receives a communication from a scheduling entity that facilitates a configuration on how to connect with a plurality of candidate cells. The scheduled entity then exchanges information about the plurality of candidate cells with the scheduling entity via Layer 1 (L1)/Layer 2 (L2) signaling, and connects with at least one of the plurality of candidate cells based on the L1/L2 signaling and the configuration. In another example, a scheduling entity transmits a communication to a scheduled entity to pre-configure the scheduled entity on how to connect with a plurality of candidate cells. The scheduling entity then receives information about the plurality of candidate cells from the scheduled entity via L1/L2 signaling, and dynamically selects via the L1/L2 signaling at least one of the plurality of candidate cells to serve the scheduled entity.