A system and method for device to device (D2D) network-assisted device discovery are provided. The method includes initiating the D2D network-assisted device discovery of a receiving UE to enable a target UE and the receiving UE to establish a D2D communication. The method also includes performing a discovery feasibility measurement to determine whether a D2D communication between the target UE and the receiving UE is feasible. The method further includes transmitting a discovery setup message and receiving a discovery report from the target UE.