Embodiments of a generation Node-B (gNB), User Equipment (UE) and methods for communication are generally described herein. The gNB may receive, from the UE, a first measurement report that indicates a first signal quality measurement based on new radio synchronization signals (NR-SS). The gNB may determine, based on reception of the first measurement report, a transmission direction for transmission of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) for a second RRM measurement at the UE based on the CSI-RS. The gNB may receive, from the UE, a second measurement report that indicates a second signal quality measurement based on the CSI-RS. The gNB may determine, based at least partly on the first and second signal quality measurements, whether to initiate a handover of the UE from a serving cell to a neighbor cell.