Dumdum You don't need to root, you can remove apps via adb. There is a debloater program on Windows I use occasionally on non GOS phones.
You could also use apps that block app connections like Netguard, or Tracker Control. The latter allows apps to access the net, but you can block trackers you choose or block an app completely. If you need Google Play Services, it would still be able to gather a lot of information compared to the sandboxed version in GOS, but you could block parts of it via Tracker Control.
That's how I would do it.
I prefer a CustomROM though, cause I don't need my phone for important stuff and an unlocked bootloader is OK.
I am no expert though.