My LG 5k monitor acts as my hub and power source, so I'm pretty close to "plug 1 thing". And from there I have a wired apple keyboard that connects to the monitor (yes with a dongle). But the keyboard has 2 old USB connectors which double as thumb drive connectors.

As it stands, I still have an analog audio out because I've procrastinated on getting a usb digital in/out, and I also have a ethernet <-> thunderbolt connector because I only got about 400Mb/s when going via the monitor instead of 950+ when going direct.

3 small connectors all on 1 side isn't that bad.

That being said, I welcome the HDMI addition mostly for older conference rooms which aren't equipped with Apple TV / Webex Proximity / etc.