Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. Layer two (L2) relay techniques may support early measurements for relay selection. During a transition to an idle or inactive state, a remote user equipment (UE) may receive a radio resource control (RRC) release message indicating a list of relay UE candidates on which to perform early measurements. The remote UE may perform the early measurements and may transmit a measurement report to abase station indicating the measurements. Based on the early measurements of the relay UE candidates performed by the remote UE and the measurement report, the base station may select a relay UE candidate-remote UE relay pairing, and may transmit an indication of the pairing to the remote UE along with other relay configuration information. Using the identified relay pairing, the remote UE may establish a sidelink connection with the identified relay UE candidate.