Regardless of the dependencies, the point that it is the 'simplest, most elegant way to generate a static version of a React-based website' applies. Next.js is ridiculously simple to get up and running with - even for JS rookies.
> In essence simplicity is about reducing then amount of waste in development and increasing the longevity (service life) of the system we build.
I would argue the implementation of nextjs in the context of static, react-based a blog falls under this definition in your linked blog post. Unless I'm missing something?