What's a good way to minimize bends in a dryer transition duct?
Rigid duct would be best. But there are times where that is not so practical and flexible duct makes more sense. But you need to make sure that it is not any longer than it needs to be:


Pull out the dryer
Cut the flexible duct so that it is stretched and just long enough to reach (i.e., at an angle) with the dryer pulled out
Push the dryer back in place


That should get it from "twisted heap" to "sag a bit on the floor but not too bad".

As far as rigid duct, depending on the layout of the room, you may be able to use an elbow plus one short (4' ?) piece to go from the dryer to an open spot just above the dryer and set up other rigid duct to meet it. Then when you push the dryer back in place you have two pieces that you can clamp together.