Re "How else do those numbers help? I asked my advisor that when RMDs are due, does the basis help and he said no."...
Having a basis in the IRA should reduce how much of the RMD is taxed, the same way it does for Roth conversions. Your non-deductible contributions i.e. "basis" in the IRA is "after tax" money you were able to contribute to the IRA to defer taxes on earnings from those contributions. This "basis" portion of the IRA is not taxable when its withdrawn, and this applies to any distribution just as it does in Roth case. Form 8606 will calculate what portion of any distribution and/or rollover is taxable and what is not, and reduce your basis accordingly.
IRS Pub 590 may be helpful read, see section "Distributions Fully or Partly Taxable".
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p590b.pdf
Not a CPA/expert but just my 2 cents, hope this helps - suggest a further conversation with your advisor on this topic.
