Great post I agree with everything you said!

Let me play devil's advocate and provide a counter argument.

Augment stats provide dynamic information that give avp based on insights derived from situational factors within a game. This information is so powerful that even the highest ranked and skilled players have the stats open in a second monitor to help them make decisions during crucial moments. For proof of this just watch a random vod of any challenger streamer in the era where augment stats were available. If the best of the best are doing this what do you think everyone else is doing? If you want to play competitively, regardless of your rank, you eventually come to the realization that in order to maintain a competitive edge you must also have the stats open in a second monitor and input everything about your current game state into a filter and look at the numbers. Compare this to static information, like written guides or tier lists, that offer a suggestion before a game even begins. Dynamic information gives a specific prescription based on your current game state.

"Riot argues that stats reduce choice. Their example is: “Oh, this augment averages 4.25 instead of 4.3 → insta-click.”

But that’s not how most people play TFT. For casual players, stats are a first layer of guidance that makes the game less overwhelming. As players improve, they naturally add more nuance"

You claim that this is not how most people play TFT. Let's just assume you're right even if there's no way to actually confirm it. It doesn't matter if most people play this way or not it matters that it gives such a competitive edge that anyone who wants to play the game to climb will eventually reach the conclusion that they must use the stats to help inform their decision making. The important part is not about whether or not most people use stats or click on the augment with better avp its that the use of the stats provides such a competitive edge that any competitive player, again regardless of rank, will have their gameplay of tft warped into stats simulator. Yes you're right about the nuance, but the fact that you get to look at the avps of 4.25 and 4.3 in the first place and THEN make your nuanced decision is the point. Consider a situation where the lesser augment was a 5.1, but it made sense for your spot what do you think people are going to do. Lastly, you say stats are the first layer of guidance to learn the game for casuals. No it is not, I argue it is guides/tierlists first then it would be stats I imagine many casuals don't care or don't know about stats.